A Holiday in Paradise

Did you notice that in the midst of all the frenzied dance of evil in our reading today (Luke 23:18-43), there is one person who gets it? It is certainly not the demanding screaming crowd that just traded a savior for a murderer or the lamenting but misunderstanding women following and surely not the constantly mocking soldiers and religious leaders (who thought they had control now). It is not the abusive criminal hanging by Jesus who is despairing of life and any last chance.

But the other man. The criminal hanging on the other side. He still feared God and realized that he had done wrong and deserved this cross. And he knew something of Jesus ("But this man has done nothing wrong").  He still had some hope ("Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.").

This solitary mostly unknown criminal was rewarded with the words, the ticket, to a holiday better that he ever could have dreamed of.  Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Lord, help us to get to know You and never give up hope in Your saving grace.