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Jesus promised eternal life to the thief on the cross. The thief recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and sought salvation from Him. How did this man who lived a life of evil deeds recognize the Savior of the world when he met Him for the first time on the cross? His fellow thief on the other cross mocked Jesus. The thief was saved by grace just as we all are. Even as He was dying, Jesus saved the soul of the thief. As Jesus said earlier, " . . . I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners," (Mark 2:17) and " . . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28). On a personal note, Luke 23:43 was the Scripture that was used in my wife's obituary as a way to witness. The obit reads as follows: Joy took her last breath in this world on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ just as He promised when He said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43).

Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, you will be with me in paradise." That one moment of expressing your Faith in Jesus you are At Home with the Lord. As Believers we have to Live by Faith: 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 For we Live by Faith, not by site. We are confident, I say and would prefer to be away from the Body and at home with the Lord. Amen

Salvation was available for the criminal. It was the time that God had already ordained. The criminal recognized Jesus. Knew He was the Messiah. Knew He was without blemish. Recognized his own flaws. Acknowledged his sinful state. Had faith to believe He was the Messiah. Asked Jesus to remember him. Through the sinner's acceptance, belief and confession, Jesus responded with love ... A promise of eternity..for his name was written in the Book of Life. Jesus' response granted the sinner salvation at his deathbed. The cross provided eternal life in paradise with Our Savior, the Messiah! Praise God!

I find this verse truly amazing, here Jesus was beaten within an inch of his life, mocked & crucified yet he is still saving others up until is last breath. A criminal who admits he deserves his punishment saw the light and feared (honored) God and accepted Jesus and was saved. It proves that it's never to late to gain salvation through the gift of grace given by our Lord & Savior.

Jesus I look for the day that I am with you in Paradise. Notice this man had no works ,no Baptism just faith in the Savior of the world. It is you Jesus, you alone through faith.Thank you Lord.

This condemned man believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved. Your works cannot save you; salvation is of the Lord!

This verse is an example of Christ's forgiveness for one who confessed his sin, even as Jesus was so brutally beaten and nailed to the cross, He gave the assurance of pardon to the one next to Him who was guilty and yet confessed and asked forgiveness. Would I be able to do that under such excruciating circumstances.....what a witness Jesus was for us.