11: Jesus and the repentant thief
It is hard to imagine a conversation taking place in the circumstances, but in their final moments, Jesus offers a vision of Paradise, comfort, and companionship to the repentant criminal next to him.
“One of the criminals hanged there mocked him, 'Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, 'Do you not fear God...? We are condemned justly and get what we deserve, but this man did nothing wrong.' He said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus replied, 'Today you will be with me in Paradise.'”
Luke 23:39-43
The crowd sees Jesus as no better than the criminals on either side; yet he has power, even on the cross, to reassure the repentant thief that he can find companionship in Paradise or heaven.
Commentary by Revd Catherine Shelley