Today You Will be With me in Paradise

As we continue our Lenten journey, we come to one of the most powerful and hope-filled moments in all of Scripture: Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross—“Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). In the shadow of suffering and death, we hear a word that changes everything: a word of salvation.

What makes this moment so remarkable is not just what Jesus says, but who He says it to. This man had no time left to turn his life around. No opportunity to make amends. No chance to prove himself. By every human measure, his story was over. And yet, in his final moments, he turns to Jesus with a simple, honest plea: “Remember me.”

This is the beauty of grace. Salvation is not something we earn over time—it is a gift we receive through faith. The thief brings nothing but his need, his guilt, and his trust in Jesus. And that is enough.

In this scene, we also see two very different responses to Jesus. One criminal mocks and demands to be rescued on his own terms. The other humbly acknowledges his sin, recognizes Jesus’ innocence, and entrusts himself to Christ’s mercy. The difference is not proximity to Jesus, but posture toward Him.

How often are we tempted to approach Jesus like the first man—wanting Him to fix our circumstances without surrendering our hearts? Lent invites us to take the posture of the second man: honest, humble, and open to grace.

Jesus’ response is filled with assurance: “Truly… today… you will be with me… in paradise.” These are not vague or distant promises. They are immediate, certain, and deeply personal. Our hope is not based on our performance, but on His promise.

This passage also shapes our hearts for others. If Jesus can save a man in his final moments, then no one is beyond His reach. That’s why one of our Lenten practices is to pray daily for someone far from God. Who has the Lord placed on your heart? A friend, a family member, a neighbor?

Let us be faithful in prayer, trusting that God is still writing stories of redemption—sometimes in the most unexpected moments.

As we walk toward the cross this season, may we remember: it is never too late to turn to Jesus. And it is never too late for someone we love.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Vaughn