Today, you will be with me in paradise

Luke 23:39-43

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, ” Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, ” Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Salvation starts with the realization of who we are in the presence of a Holy God – the fear of God
Repentance – making no excuse for our sins
Agreeing with God on the verdict on our sins and taking responsibility over our past actions and decisions

In pain and in the face of humiliating death, He thought of comforting and assuring a repentant criminal
Certain of the victory that He was about to receive
Grace – amazing and undeserving

Grace does not discount our past failures and sins, it opens the door to underserved privilege dependent on the choices we make
Grace is made possible, because Jesus has accomplished the impossible – that God should die man’s death