Jesus says: Today you will be with me in paradise!

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  (Luke 23: 42-43)

I was watching a popular current events talk show the other day where a man was featured who was in grief over his brother’s allegedly wrongful death.  My heart went out to this man because it seemed that his brother died in extremely suspicious circumstances and of no fault of his own.  It looked like a senseless killing, and beyond tragic.

But what struck me even more was the acuteness of the younger brother’s anger, and how he refused to be comforted by any concept that his brother was at least at peace with God.  He seemed certain that there was no God and that his brother was just dead, and that was all.  He was adamant about it.

I couldn’t help but pray for this guy.  All I saw was extreme soul pain.  His brother was a hero to him and he was gone.  To me, this man had a spirit that could not be consoled, and that was even sadder and more tragic.

My cousin, who was a single mom of three daughters, was found dead early yesterday in her apartment.  I received the call yesterday afternoon and I was absolutely stunned.  We had not known of any health problems, and we are waiting on the cause of death.  She was only 48.

I spent a lot of yesterday in a state of shock, except for some special moments when I remembered that God is still there.  Normally when someone dies, I wish those in mourning to have God’s peace and comfort.  Well, I know people were praying that day for me, and I really did feel those things, so keep up the prayers for all of us!

Last week I wrote that we only know in part in this life (1 Corinthians 13:9).  I don’t know why people who have seemed to have done no one any harm meet with such an end.  “Why them?” is the easiest thing to ask at these times.  When we don’t know in full, we feel disconcerted.

It’s at these times when I rely on what I know from God, and then trust Him for what I don’t yet understand.

For those of us who believe, I would encourage you to keep running the race.  That trust and reliance on the Lord will carry you through everything.  His Spirit will edify you on all occasions. Just don’t take your relationship with God for granted.  Keep praying, and keep learning!

We have hope of a life after death.  Jesus said so.  When He was dying on the cross, one of the criminals that was crucified beside Him was repentant for his crimes.  He asked Christ to remember Him once He came into His kingdom.  Jesus told the man that he would be with Him in Paradise!

There is life as long as there is God, and since He ain’t going anywhere, there is always hope in Him!  I know He is there because I can see and feel the evidence of His Spirit.  This is difficult for anyone to comprehend that doesn’t want to believe it or needs foreinsic evidence in order to believe.  The only CSI that will give the proof is:

Christ’s
Spirit
Inside you

Death is hard on us because in this life, it can feel so final.  But God has revealed Himself to people throughout the ages, so we would know He is there and He is real.  He has not kept His existence hidden from us.  And when we believe in Him, His presence can overwhelm us.  There is Paradise; God is there.  Christ will meet us when it’s our time to be with Him face to face.

If you or anyone you know needs proof in order to believe, then take this dare: relax that need!  Just for a moment, in a quiet and peaceful state, ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you.  Do one more thing.  Ask Him to let you recognize it’s Him when He arrives.  Then wait.  Keep your heart open to the fact that He will do it. It might not be in an instant, but He will show up, and at a time when He knows He’ll capture your attention!

The criminal on the cross feared God.  He knew he was getting the punishment that was the consequences of his sins.  And, in the most unusual place, there was Jesus, to forgive him and invite him to a place where there is no more pain or sin or death.  Just life with a Saviour, forever.

Sounds like Paradise to me.