“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’
Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:42-43)
Jesus spoke these words to a thief on the cross - a person, in many ways if we admit it, just like you and me. He was deeply aware of his failures, yet was also looking, probably had been looking his entire life for more- - perhaps even looking for hope to come from the Messiah, the "anointed one", the one chosen, consecrated, and set apart by God for a special purpose - a very special purpose.
Imagine that this person on the cross, whose entire life is summed up as “thief” had ironically been looking his entire life, waiting, hoping, longing, yearning, perhaps even, at the end, silently praying for what only Jesus could give him! And then, at the unlikeliest of moments it happened – on the cross, being “punished justly, getting what his deeds deserved”, he finally came face to face with God.
Stop for a moment. Imagine that. Face to face with God. Jesus looked directly into his eyes. Then Jesus spoke - “You”…who? “You”… me? “You”. “YOU will be with me in paradise today”. Paradise. Eden. “A new Eden”. For the rest of eternity, the wholly and completely redeemed thief will walk in the garden in fellowship and communion with God.
Can you take ten or even twenty minutes, to pause and reflect on what it would be like to be face to face with God, with Jesus, with “I AM”, with love incarnate, and to hear from God’s lips to your ears, to your soul –all that you long for - ALL THAT YOU LONG FOR – will be given to you.
Prayer Prompt: Lord God, help me now to be still and know that you are God. Please calm my mind, heart, and soul. I will be silent and listen to what you, the God of the universe, Jesus, Holy Spirit have to say for me. Now Lord, please speak, for your servant is listening.
Song of the Day: A New Eden (Feat. Lauren Sloat) // The Belonging Co
