The Way to Paradise 6 April 2007

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

As Jesus hung on the cross he was taunted and mocked by passers-by, by the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and by criminals also being crucified. The mockers were all expecting a Messiah to come in power, to lift the oppression of the Roman occupation and restore the human kingdom of Israel; ‘if you are the Christ then save yourself.’ They had all got it wrong. Jesus was about to complete a much greater and much more fundamental victory; over death itself.

The other criminal was more on the right track. ‘This man has done nothing wrong; Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He believed in Jesus and was rewarded, with paradise.

On the cross, the way to the father was opened. The barrier between God and mankind was broken down; relationship restored. Because of the cross we can know God personally and be known by him.

As we believe in Jesus and choose to follow him we know his salvation; we know joy; we know relationship; we have hope for the future, in paradise with him.

For those who followed Jesus in first century Palestine this was a dark day.

We have the advantage of knowing what followed, and can look forward to Sunday where we can proclaim, “Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, Alleluia.”

Amen