April 11

Verily, I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. — Luke 23:43.

THE occasion of these words we meet with, in the earnest supplication of the poor malefactor who was expiring by the side of Christ. Jesus was crucified between two thieves, and thus he was accounted stricken and smitten of God; and in his death he was numbered with transgressors. Struck either with the dignity of the sufferer, or the astounding phenomena with which nature was affected, and doubtless too, touched with the finger of God, one of these exclaimed, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." His supplication was of a most extraordinary character. It was addressed to a fellow-sufferer—a reputed malefactor—the object of human scorn, hatred, and contempt. It was addressed to him when in the agonies of death. All else were mocking and reviling—the priests and elders were taunting him, saying, "He saved others; himself he cannot save"—the multitude were exclaiming, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." Yet amidst all this derision and contemptuous treatment of the Saviour, this poor malefactor honoured him, and sought from his dying lips a promise of future felicity. He addresses him in the language of believing worship, — he gives him his own glorious and rightful title of Lord, — he sees in the sufferer the features of divinity, — he concedes to him all that prophets had written, all that Jesus had claimed, — he recognizes him as the Son of God, — as the possessor of a celestial kingdom, — and entreats when he should ascend to his throne, that he would give him a place in his merciful remembrance. Thus was Christ honoured by the worship and address of this poor malefactor. Thus did Christ's cross, as a powerful magnet draw a dying wretch beneath its saving influence. Thus while the religionists of the day despised and put to death the blessed Jesus, a poor profligate outcast, vested his mortal interests into his hands, and received the promise of eternal glory.