As Jesus hung suspended between heaven and earth, bloodied and bruised, flanked by two thieves—He revealed once again the redemptive nature of His mission with this second utterance from the Cross. While many surrounded Him in mockery, shame, and scorn, one dying man—an unlikely witness—recognized divinity through agony. And in that sacred exchange, Jesus spoke one of the most tender, personal promises of the Gospel: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
This Word is a declaration of assurance. It is a holy confirmation from the suffering Savior to a soul at the edge of eternity. Though crucifixion was reserved for the worst of offenders, and though both thieves had joined initially in mocking Jesus (Matthew 27:44, KJV), one had a change of heart. As he hung there, he witnessed the Lamb suffer in silence, heard Him pray for His persecutors, and saw something that turned his ridicule into repentance. With a broken and contrite spirit, he turned to Jesus and cried out—not with entitlement, but humility: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42, KJV).
This request was not a plea for escape from death but a reach for eternal life. It was not about avoiding punishment but about accessing mercy. The thief didn’t ask to be spared the cross—he asked to be included in the kingdom. And Jesus, responding not with delay, hesitation, or uncertainty, gave a divine decree: “Verily”—truly, assuredly, with all authority—“I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This Word contains the very core of the Gospel: repentance, faith, salvation, and the immediacy of grace.
Let us first consider the context. Jesus was suffering the greatest injustice known to man. The physical torture of crucifixion was only part of His agony. He was bearing the sins of the world, enduring spiritual separation, and fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53. He was surrounded by mockers, scoffers, and executioners. Yet in the midst of this scene, a holy interruption occurred—a moment of salvation birthed from a dying man’s faith. No altar call. No choir. No robe. No offering. Just naked repentance and raw belief. And it was enough.
“Verily I say unto thee…” Jesus prefaces His promise with divine emphasis. This “Verily” is not a suggestion—it is a signature. It affirms His role as the Amen of God—the Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14, KJV). Jesus, even while dying, had full authority to grant access to eternity. He spoke not from weakness but from sovereign strength. His words carried the weight of heaven. He didn’t need to check with angels or consult with heaven’s gates. He is the Door (John 10:9, KJV), and when He speaks, eternity listens.
“To day…” This declaration defies human logic and religious tradition. Many systems insist on lengthy processes for redemption. Some claim a series of rituals must be performed, that forgiveness must be earned, or that only certain persons are worthy. But Jesus, with this one word—“to day”—shatters all such barriers. Redemption is immediate. Forgiveness is instant. Eternity can begin in a moment of true repentance. There is no probationary period in the kingdom. There is no delay in divine acceptance when one’s heart turns in truth.
This also comforts us with the reality that no matter how late the hour, it is never too late for grace. The thief had no time left to serve in ministry, pay tithes, or perform deeds of righteousness. Yet he received the promise of paradise. This is not a license to delay salvation, but a testimony that grace reaches even in the final moments. God is not bound by our timeline—He is bound by His love. “To day” is the immediacy of mercy. It is the now of God’s grace.
“Thou shalt be with me…” This is the greatest treasure of salvation—not just deliverance from judgment, but union with Jesus. The heart of the Gospel is not just about heaven as a destination—it is about Jesus as our portion. “With me” is the promise of relationship restored. The fall in Eden had separated man from the presence of God, but the Cross would restore that fellowship. Jesus did not merely promise the thief a place—He promised His presence.
The phrase “with me” speaks of intimacy, access, and acceptance. This was a thief, a criminal, a condemned man—and Jesus did not keep him at a distance. He welcomed him into eternal communion. This shows us that salvation is not only about getting to heaven—it is about getting back to God. Relationship is the reward. Fellowship is the fruit. “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11, KJV).
“In paradise…” The word “paradise” here comes from the Greek paradeisos, which refers to a garden or park—a place of delight and rest. It is the same word used in the Septuagint to describe the Garden of Eden. Jesus was promising a return to the fellowship Adam once knew. Paradise is not merely geography—it is glory. It is the abode of the righteous. It is rest from pain, freedom from sin, and the presence of God without separation.
This second Word echoes the complete reversal of what happened in Genesis. In Eden, a thief was cast out for sin. On Calvary, a thief was welcomed in by grace. In Eden, man hid from God in shame. On Calvary, man turned to God in faith. In Eden, paradise was lost. On Calvary, paradise was promised.
Let us also consider the faith of the thief. He believed in Jesus while everyone else doubted. The religious leaders mocked Him. The crowd jeered. The soldiers gambled for His garments. The disciples had fled. But this dying man saw royalty beneath the thorns. He called Jesus “Lord” when His own people rejected Him. He believed in a kingdom when all he could see was a crucified King. That kind of faith moves heaven.
The thief had no title, no righteousness, no legacy—but he had faith. And faith is the currency of the kingdom. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, KJV). He believed that Jesus had a kingdom beyond the cross. He believed in life beyond the grave. He believed in mercy beyond merit. And that belief opened the door to paradise.
This Word also teaches us about evangelism, intercession, and how we speak to those who are perishing. Even at death’s door, Jesus was still saving souls. He was still making disciples. He was still opening hearts. How much more should we be reaching out to those on the margins? The thief was society’s outcast—Jesus made him heaven’s guest. We must never assume someone is beyond hope. The final moments of their life could become their first moments of eternity.
And what of the other thief? He represents those who see the Cross, hear the Word, experience the same moment of mercy—but reject it. His heart remained hardened. He wanted deliverance without repentance. He asked for rescue but not relationship. And in his silence, we see the sobering truth that not everyone will receive the invitation. The grace of God must be received by faith. One thief is a picture of salvation; the other, of separation. The Cross remains in the middle.
The Second Word of Jesus is personal. It tells us that salvation is not generic—it is specific. Jesus didn’t speak this Word to the crowd, but to one man. This shows us that though He died for the world, He saves individually. “To day shalt thou be with me.” He sees you. He knows you. He calls you by name. Salvation is not a vague hope—it is a divine promise offered to the heart that believes.
This Word is also a model for us to declare over the lost. We can proclaim: “To day” is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV). We must not delay in offering the Gospel. Time is short. Souls hang in the balance. Eternity is just a breath away. But for those who believe, even a thief at death’s edge can become a son of paradise.
In this Word, Jesus offered pardon, presence, and paradise. He offered Himself. And that is the message we carry to a broken world—Jesus saves. Not tomorrow. Not someday. But today. Right now. Wherever you are. However broken you may feel. Whatever your past may hold. Jesus still speaks from the Cross. He still says, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Selah Moment with Prophetess Dr. Althea Winifred
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