The Second Word
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Today, I will be with you in paradise? Really? I’ve been to paradise on earth, and it is so beautiful! It is filled with sounds and smells and sights almost too much to take in. The waves rising from the deep, crashing against the sand, pulling everything under it back out into the deep, then rising again… birds singing all day, from the first light until the last, singing and praising their Creator in all forms. The birds that flock to the trees for shelter in the night, they fly at dawn, free and safe. Flowers in shades of color my eyes had never before seen bloom each day, regally opening their petals, reaching out to absorb the sun. Their fragrance permeating everything around them. The aroma wafting through the patio as the breeze passes over the open bloom, carrying the delicious scent to each person blessed enough to experience this paradise. The people, who seem to melt in together, one race but different colors, features, shapes. They are loving and relaxed. No rushing, no worries. It’s paradise.
What would it look like if the people who came here were all the “castaways”. The dirty, the homeless, the thieves, the murderers. What if they were the only people who went to paradise? Would it change any of the beauty? Would the natives run? Would they try to avoid contact with those less attractive, less desirable? Jesus did not. While on the cross, the thief next to him asked to be remembered. Jesus promised him that He would.
“I assure you…”
How powerful are those words coming from a Savior who did everything He said he would? How meaningful is that statement from a man who healed every sickness, weeps for His friends, blessed those who cursed him? Wow. If Jesus were on this earth today, and said to me, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” I can tell you that every burden I carry would be lifted, because I am that thief on that cross. I have sinned and I do not deserve eternal life. I have fallen short of the glory of God.
Have you fallen short? Do you have guilt? Are you saddened by some of the choices you’ve made? Do you think there’s no way you will ever go to heaven, even though you believe in Jesus, even though you know your sins are forgiven? Do you think that there’s just this slight chance that you’ll get there and there will be some clause, some small print that keeps you out? Is there a small bit of doubt that grieves you? What if you aren’t “doing” your faith right? What if you said a cuss word yesterday? What if you lied twenty years ago? What if you had an abortion? What if you were unfaithful to your spouse? What if you are a thief? What if you are imperfect?
Right now, tell God you’re doubting. Cry out to Jesus. See Him there? He’s right next to you, listening to you. He hears your every worry. He knows those secret thoughts that you’d never ever tell anyone. Jesus walked through dirt mixed with his own blood. He carried that heavy cross. He endured hours upon hours of torture. He looked into the eyes of those who drove nails through his body. He was whipped with cat-o-nines. He was beaten. He was bruised. He was scourged. Jesus did that for me and you. Because He loves us.
I assure you…
Momma Rich's 