Jesus. All About Life.Sample

Reflection

What a deeply moving moment. Amidst a crowd watching on, with religious rulers sneering, soldiers are mocking, and a criminal railing, we are brought into the intimate conversation of two men caught in the final moments of life as they hung on a barbaric cross. Yet, here we are caught up in this profound cosmic moment, wherein a desperate plea of a criminal, we see the passion of the Saviour opening up paradise.

In this simple plea of wanting to be remembered, the criminal sees Jesus as someone different. He accepts the claim that Jesus is King, the innocent one taking his place among the unrighteous to bring people into his Kingdom beyond death. Feel the solemnity, passion, and hope of his reply, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise opens up at this moment to someone who didn’t deserve it - God’s garden of the new creation.

Action Point

Will you be like the sneering crowds of our world, so curved in on itself that it cannot see the Saviour or like the desperate confessing criminal and be so bold to ask for something so significant of the King, to be wrapped up in his Kingdom and given entry into paradise?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you that your love sent Jesus to endure things he didn’t deserve to endure. Thank you that your love sent Jesus so we can enjoy things we don’t deserve to enjoy.

About the writer

Paul Dudley is the assistant minister of St. Thomas Anglican Church in North Sydney and part-time Mission Mentor at Arndell Anglican College.