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June 28 Daily Devotional

Paradise!

Peter G. Feenstra

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 2:43

Bible Reading

Luke 23:39–43

Devotional

The penitent thief does not have to wait until the end of world history to enjoy communion with God. Jesus has the power to open and shut the kingdom of heaven and He will open it to this man immediately—today. The Paradise which goes open to him is not the Paradise of the past (the garden of Eden) or of the future (the New Jerusalem) but of the present: the place of glory for all those who die in the Lord. Jesus says, “You will be with me today! Both you and I will experience that glory.”

Life after death is life with Christ for all who believe in Him! What awaits every believer is not nothingness or unconsciousness in the grave but life with Christ in Paradise. Jesus highlights the certainty of His promise with the word, “Assuredly,” or literally, “Amen.” The thief on the cross can count on being with Christ in Paradise on the very day he dies. But what makes Christ so certain the criminal will be with Him? Only a few hours later Jesus will say, “My God, why have You forsaken me?” Was Christ’s promise to the thief somewhat premature? Was He thinking clearly? When Christ cries out, “Why?” the criminal’s faith is tested. He must remain steadfast, trusting Christ will do what He promised! Jesus must first experience the darkness and torment of hell before He can take this brother to glory.

Today we know Christ is in Paradise—in the glory of heaven. That gives us all the more reason to persevere in faith. Whatever disappoints or frustrates us should not shake our conviction that we are heading to Paradise, to a day when Christ will dwell with us and we with Him in eternal blessedness. “Today you will be with me in Paradise” means there is reconciliation with God, peace through the blood of the cross, and the uninterrupted bliss of Paradise. Christ spoke to the penitent thief and gave him personal assurance of being in Paradise. Through the message of the gospel Jesus continues to speak to us in the same manner. Today the gospel of the cross declares to us Christ’s salvation. It does not take away the suffering or disappointment we face but it makes a huge difference: the way is open to the Paradise of God through Christ’s blood and the forgiveness of our sins. We don’t have to wait to start enjoying the communion He provides.

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