Luke 23:42 And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. I. THE CHARACTER AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS MAN. The Evangelists St. Matthew and St. Mark describe him as a "thief"; and in the text St. Luke denominates him a "malefactor." It may not, therefore, be improper to trace the progress of iniquity in such persons; and to show the causes which contribute to form their mischievous and wretched characters. By this means inexperienced persons may be warned against the beginnings of evil, and the guardians of youth reminded of the responsibilities under which they lie. Among these causes we may specify — 1. The want of a sound religious and moral education. 2. The violation of the Sabbath is another fruitful source of evil. 3. The keeping of bad company, which is another frightful source of evil. 4. Habits of intemperance, The circumstances of the man who is described in our text were awful indeed. His end was actually come. Even to the holiest of men death is an affair of awful moment. It dissolves our earthly frame; it severs our connection with every person and object beneath the sun; it ends our short day of trial; and it forces us into a state which eternity will never reverse. The fear and trepidation which naturally arise, even in a good mind, at the arrival of death, are terribly heightened by that consciousness of guilt which the malefactor before us must have felt. II. HIS CONDUCT UPON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION. 1. He reproved the rashness and impiety of his impenitent fellow-sufferer. 2. He acknowledged the justice of the sentence under which he lay. "We indeed," said he, suffer death "justly." It is an ill sign when persons who are punished for their faults are loud in their complaints of undue severity. 3. He bore witness to the innocence of Jesus. "This man," said he, "hath done nothing amiss." 4. He made a direct application to Christ for mercy. Turning his languid eyes to Jesus, he said, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." III. THE ANSWER WHICH CHRIST GRACIOUSLY VOUCHSAFED: "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise." 1. This answer secured to the man the requisite preparation for future glory. If he was to be in paradise that day, he must on that day be qualified for its joys and employment. That this great work should be instantaneously wrought is not at all surprising when we consider its Author. 2. The answer of our Lord marks the true nature of man. 3. Our Lord's answer teaches us that those who die in Him immediately enter into rest. No longer period of time elapses after the believing soul has left the body before its superior happiness begins. (J. Jackson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.WEB: He said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." |
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