One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
How amazing is it that after being flogged, mocked, falsely accused, harassed, humiliated and sent to his death that Jesus was still loving the men who sent him to his death. If this isn’t love and forgiveness, I don’t know what is, Half Dead, experiencing excruciating pain, one robber defends Jesus(not a popular thing given the circumstances) then repents. then Jesus, the son of God, who lived a perfect and blameless life, forgave the robber and replied “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Just think about that for a while, the circumstances, sand reflect on your own life, Jesus forgave a sinner while physically hanging on the cross. There is no end to his forgiveness. Below is an excerpt from Max Lucado:
A condemned criminal was sent to his death by his country. In his final moments, he asked for mercy. Had he asked for mercy from the people, it would have been denied. Had he asked for it of the government, it would have been declined. Had he asked it of his victims, they would have turned a deaf ear. But it wasn’t to these he turned for grace. He turned instead to the bloodied form of the One who hung on the cross next to his and pleaded,”Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
As far as we know Dahmer did the same thing. And as far as we know, Dahmer got the same response. And when you think about it, the request Dahmer made is no different than yours and mine. He may make it from a prison bunk and you may make it from a church pew, but from heaven’s angle we’re all asking for the moon.
And by heaven’s grace we all receive it.
