A Criminal in Paradise?

In the last post we discussed the forgiveness received by the Jews and Romans who tortured Jesus and put him on the cross.
There was no need for any repentance, baptism, religious affiliation or agreement to some statement of doctrine on their behalf. 
No! 
From the love of Jesus and the Father poured out mercy and forgiveness for those wayward, ignorant Jewish leaders and Romans soldiers.

But have you noticed another amazing expression of Jesus' love, mercy and grace while he was on the cross?
The criminal who recognised Jesus' kingship and asked to be remembered when Jesus would come into his kingdom was told that he would be with Jesus in Paradise that very day, before the kingdom had yet been established.

Nothing more than a simple request was needed to get Jesus' attention and promise - no baptism, no confession of faith, no acceptance of some creedal statement - nothing more than acknowledging Christ as the promised Messiah, the coming King.

Let's be playful here for a moment.
Suppose this criminal presents himself at the gate to Paradise and the angel meeting him asks, "What are you doing here? You're a criminal."
He might reply, "I was told to come here today."
"And who told you that?"
"The man on the cross next to me."

It seems that everything about the kingdom, even before the crucifixion, is about what Jesus wants.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last ...
[John 15 : 16  NIV]

Co-workers with Christ in his kingdom are chosen and equipped for kingdom leadership.

But what about the rest of humanity, those not chosen for kingdom leadership?
Their turn will come to enjoy that kingdom because Jesus promised:

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (In saying this he indicated the kind of death he was going to suffer.)
[John 12 : 32  GNB]

And God's plan promised it:

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]
So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. 
[Romans 5 : 18  GNB]

The rest of humanity will be citizens in the kingdom, enjoying the glorious benefits of living in God's renewed world.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
[Revelation 21 : 5  NIV]

So how did this criminal get into Paradise?
Because Jesus said so; and because of a huge transformation making everything new:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 51, 53  NIV]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Forgiveness, the Jesus Way

Most of us have experienced the challenge of forgiving someone who has hurt us. These hurts range from misleading us, taking from us, misrepresenting us, to ruining our reputation or livelihood.

I am always challenged by the example of Jesus on the cross asking his Father to forgive those who put him there. 

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
[Luke 23 : 33 - 34  NIV]

Jesus was asking the Father to forgive those who put him on the cross - his accusers, his assailants and his murderers. 
How hard was that?
It could only have come from the deep, deep love Jesus had for them.

Because they sure hadn't done anything like what many churches teach for people to receive God's forgiveness today. 
They hadn't made a public confession of their faith, or been baptised, or affirmed the church's doctrinal statement, or followed any of the formulas many churches impose upon new converts.

And it happened even before Jesus had become the sin-offering for our sins on the cross!

Jesus was giving an unforgettable example of what he had already taught his followers.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
[Matthew 5 : 43 - 45a  NIV]

This event also gives us a clear insight into God's love - a love that forgives under all circumstances.
"Love is kind ... It keeps no record of wrongs ... Love never fails" are snippets from 1 Corinthians 13.

Jesus' prayer before he died on the cross demonstrated the forgiveness that flowed from his deep love for those who put him there - the Jews and the Romans (Gentiles).
Giving his life on the cross just a few minutes later demonstrated his deep love for all of humanity, all Jews and all Gentiles, and the forgiveness of sin for all of us that flowed from it.

There is a personal aspect to this for us who are followers of Christ.
When we choose mercy and forgiveness in our times of hurt we align ourselves with the heart of Jesus and his Father.

However, this is not easy - forgiveness is not easy. 
It is not pretending the hurt didn't happen. And it is not excusing wrongdoing.
It is a deliberate decision to exercise love by showing mercy, letting go of the right to respond in any "just" retaliatory way.

Wouldn't our families, our communities, our world, even our churches, be totally different if we forgave our "enemies" as Jesus forgave his?

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au