THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

The Second Word: Luke 23:43

Truly I tell you; today you will be with me in paradise.
Long before there were Itunes, mp3s, and CDs, only vinyl albums and LPs existed. A friend had a great LP collection of some of the best singers and entertainers in the world. These included Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett.

Ken also had a terrific collection of original soundtracks of musical movies. One of his favorites was that of the musical ‘Kismet’, starring Howard Keel. The movie is set in ancient Baghdad and is all about a poetical con artist who uses his charisma to charm his way to the top. It’s a highly entertaining and very funny musical. Most of the music is ripped off from a classical Russian composer called Borodin.

For me, the best song in the movie is sung by Vic Damone, who plays the young Caliph. It’s called “Stranger in Paradise.” I think it’s one of the most beautiful love songs ever heard or seen in the movies for the melody is wonderful.

When Christ mercifully hears the thief’s prayer from the Cross, He is putting into action the Gospel of salvation in its most basic form. The thief cannot perform any good deeds, nor can he serve Jesus as both of them are painfully dying on their crosses. All that the thief can give Christ is that which Jesus has asked of many people throughout His ministry: his heartfelt faith. For Christ, this is all that is necessary to be with Him – a pure faith that is not a means of escaping punishment, but a way of surrendering completely to Christ and of allowing Him to save the sinner’s soul: To become, in effect, a Stranger in Paradise.

The suffering of the cross was shared that day with two other people, two criminals who had been tried and convicted of wrong doing. One of the, his mind tormented with pain, looked over at Jesus and mocked him, saying: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But his companion, shocked by these words, reprimanded him harshly, saying:  “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then, turning his face to Jesus, he cried out:  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And once again, putting aside His own misery, Jesus had compassion on this second criminal, and said to him:  “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It would have been very easy to reject both men.  After all, they deserved this punishment.  They were guilty!  But instead, our Master forgave the repentant sinner, and assured him that there was hope for his soul.

LECTIO DIVINA – The Bible study

Let’s turn to the person sitting next to us, pair off by two and let our thoughts turn to this single line of Luke’s Gospel, the 2nd Word Jesus spoke from the Cross: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The first question to discuss is: “What is this verse saying to me/you today?”
Now turn to the person on the other side of you and discuss this question:
“What is this verse saying to St. Paul Lutheran today?”