You Will Be with Me in Paradise

April 9, 1993

Preached at Fort Square Presbyterian Church

"YOU WILL BE WITH ME, IN PARADISE, TODAY!" Luke 23:32-43

A conversation involving three men is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (23). It was not by any means a casual conversation. Two men were dying on crosses on either side of our Savior.

One man chewed his tongue in agony and anger, and cursed the Man on the middle cross. Cursed Him for a fraud and an imposter.

"You said a lot of great-sounding things when the crowds were following," he groaned. "If you are not a fake do something!"

One man cried out in spite of his anguish, in rebuke of the blasphemy he was hearing. "Aren't you afraid to die with that kind of hatred coming out of your mouth?" he groaned. "You know we deserve what we are getting!"

Think about it. That is quite an admission of guilt.

But that was not all this dying thief we have come to call "Dismas" said that day. He continued, "This Man has done nothing wrong!"

Whether or not he fully realized what he was saying, he had made a correct theological statement. He had made a declaration of faith in the sinlessness of Jesus.

Then Dismas turned his head toward the middle cross and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"

Remember me! Don't forget me!

Just what does it take to get ready to die?

Here is a man with no time left at all. Whatever opportunity he has had to cultivate a relationship with God evidently has been wasted.

What is really necessary to be with Jesus wherever He is going?

  1. One thing is certain: only a fool would deliberately plan to wait until the day of his death to make his peace with God.

    Presumption is the mortal enemy of genuine saving faith. Presumption is dictating terms to God— saying "I will do this, and then that, and then I will take advantage of Your grace." Presumption is assuming that because we know the facts of salvation, of the Bible, of the Plan of Salvation— because we may say the words of Four Spiritual Laws or a Roman Road to Salvation that now we are safe in the arms of Jesus.

    Presumption is the mortal enemy of faith. We never dictate terms to Almighty God.

  2. There is always the mystery of calling involved in getting ready to die. I believe God has given us grace to accept Him, to "choose" to be saved. However there is always a mystery involved when people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We say in our arrogance, "I found God!" But in reality it is always God who finds us!
  3. Given that we are called to salvation, what elements are present in this conversation between Dismas and our Lord?
    1. There is an awareness of sin, of unworthiness.
    2. There is a God-inspired faith in a Savior.
    3. There is a sincere cry for remembrance. "Remember me!"

And we shall be remembered! Not one sparrow falls, Jesus told us, but the Father knows. We don't have to wait until the crisis hour to cry for mercy! And when we answer the stirrings of faith deep within us— when we see Jesus standing outside our heart's door— perhaps at a summer camp for teens— perhaps in a children's Sunday School hour— maybe in the quiet of our living room— but whenever we say, with faith that knows our own sinfulness, but that looks to the spotless Lamb of God, "Lord, remember me!" we are heard!

Perhaps all humanity is represented in this conversation on Golgotha's hill. All of humanity is sinful, condemned, and justly so, to eternal separation from the holy. All humanity apart from grace is headed for the oblivion of the lost and empty wastes of outer space darkness. This conversation marks a singular division.

Two thieves were crucified that day. One was saved so that none ever need despair. But only one was saved, and none ever dare presume. There will be an eternal division of humankind.

Jesus spoke of this division in another way at another time. He said that when Judgment Day finally comes two men will be working a field, one will be taken the other left; two people will be sleeping in a bed, one taken, one left; two women grinding at the mill, one taken, the other left.

Of all those who have prayed, with repentance, "Lord, remember me!" how many, do you suppose, Jesus will forget?

From my heart, I pray: "Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom!"