9. Why did Jesus emphasise ‘today’? What was the teaching of the law of Moses regarding a person who had been hanged upon a tree? Deuteronomy 21:23.
NOTE: ‘But on the day of the crucifixion, the day of apparent defeat and darkness, the promise was given. “Today” while dying upon the cross as a malefactor, Christ assures the poor sinner, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.’ Desire of Ages, page 751.
‘Jesus did not promise the penitent thief that he should go with Him, upon the day of their crucifixion, to Paradise; for He Himself did not ascend to His Father until three days afterward. See John 20:17. But He declared unto him, “I say unto thee today,” meaning to impress the fact upon his mind, that at that time, while enduring ignominy and persecution, He had the power to save sinners. He was man’s Advocate with the Father, having the same power as when He healed the sick and raised the dead to life; it was His Divine right to promise that day to the repentant, believing sinner, “Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” Present Truth, January 21, 1886. (Emphasis in the original.)
10. How did Paul show the significance of the form of Christ’s death? Galatians 3:13.
NOTE: ‘“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Here we have fresh evidence that death is the curse of the law, since death was what Christ suffered on the tree. “The wages of sin is death;” and Christ was made “to be sin for us.” “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” and “by His stripes we are healed.” It is not from obedience to the law, that Christ has redeemed us, but from its transgression, and from death, which comes by sin. His sacrifice was in order “that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.”’ E. J. Waggoner: The Everlasting Covenant, page 298.