Season 5 Podcast 72 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 27 D, “Paradise A.”

A New Voice of Freedom

Season 5 Podcast 72 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 27 D, “Paradise A.”

In last week’s episode we explored the crucifixion. This week we shall examine Paradise. To do that we must begin with the two thieves who were crucified with Christ.

“Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.” (Matthew 27:38)

The story of the two thieves is fascinating. For one thing it shows the tender mercy of Christ to those who call upon him. It is hard, for example, to imagine the excruciating pain Christ must have felt hanging on the cross with nails driven into his hands and his feet. Mortals would have fainted, but Christ had power over death. It is important to remember that the Romans did not take his life. He gave it freely. Christ said,

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10: 17-18)

Even under excruciating pain, on the cross Christ thought of others. For example, he said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” In Luke 23 it suggests that he was talking of the Roman soldiers who were bargaining for his garments; however, in his vast love, perhaps he was talking of all those who were involved through ignorance. Only God can judge the heart of another. In his agony Christ also looked down from the cross and commanded John to take care of Mary, his mother. He also conversed with the two thieves. Matthew records that they were critical of him.

“The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” (Matthew 27:44)

Even the thieves were echoing the words of the mob and mocking Christ. Mark points out that being hanged on the cross between two thieves was in fulfillment of prophecy.

“And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” (Mark 15:27-28)

Luke, however, suggests that only one of the thieves mocked Jesus. The other sought forgiveness. Even in pain from his tormenters Christ only thought of others, even the thief hanging beside him.

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:32-43)

Jesus, regardless of the circumstances, was always God of the moment. According to Luke only one malefactor rebuked Christ. The other defended Christ and pleaded for mercy, leading one to wonder if he was a former disciple who had chosen the wrong path. The statement of the thief certainly suggests that he knew something of Christ’s teachings, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” But the intriguing thing is Christ’s answer, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” What is Paradise? And Where is Paradise? Is Paradise heaven? Certainly, it must be a kind of heaven, but we have a problem with time. Christ said to the malefactor, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.