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“And he [one of the thieves crucified with the Lord Jesus] 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 23:42-43).
This is a very touching story. We know that the Lord Jesus was crucified between two thieves, both of whom at first mocked Him, asking Him to save Himself and them too. But then one of them realized who the Lord Jesus was. The sign on the cross of the Lord Jesus said that He was the King of the Jews, and one thief saw that it was true. The Spirit of God worked in his heart, and instead of mocking the Lord Jesus, he asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom.
What a wonderful answer he received! He did not have to wait, for the Lord Jesus has not received His kingdom yet. The Lord reassured this dying thief that on that very day, he would be with Him in paradise. What a change from all his suffering! It is true that he had been a bad man and was suffering the penalty normally given to thieves. But the blood of Christ was able to wash all those sins away and make him fit for the presence of God.
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