King of Kings

December 30, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Revelation 19:11-16

The scene is set in heaven. The Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle John just enough to excite our curiosity. What will heaven be like? To some of us the eschatology of Revelation can be rather daunting. What do all the symbols mean? When and where will these events take place? For sure, if God wanted us to know, He would have been specific, but God delights in surprises.

Besides, the Book of Revelation is not about process, but about the person of Jesus Christ (1:1). John had the enviable privilege of knowing Jesus personally when He walked on earth. Through scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we who have believed and received, also know Jesus personally! Day by day we learn more through His love and power working in and through us. One day we know we will see Him face to face (22:3-4). What a glorious hope! In our scripture today we can picture Jesus coming in glory!

Many years ago I shook hands with a man of fame and fortune. It was such an exciting experience! At the time our future king was visiting Toronto, so some friends and I went to see him. There he was – no halo; just another man. Born into a position of privilege, he had no control over his birth. His mother, our Queen, recognized that reality when she endorsed a book written for her 90^th birthday: “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves”.

Compare Prince Charles’ situation with the King of Kings who was not born into a rich household, but rather was born in the humblest of circumstances. Jesus came intentionally to earth, giving up His glory to become a human baby; the control He had over His destiny is amazing (John 10:18). On the other hand, Prince Charles, now King Charles 111, created by God for this moment in history, had no pre-existence and will die at the time appointed by God (Hebrews 9:27).

Jesus is given many names in the book of Revelation. He claimed to be the “Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 1:8, 22:13). He is worshiped as the “Lamb that was slain” (5:9, 12). “Saviour” (7:10), the “Root” of our salvation (22:16). “Shepherd” (7:17). His Kingdom is declared, over which the “Christ…. will reign forever and ever” – eternally (11:15). “Lord God Almighty” (15:3). “The Holy One” (16:5). “Faithful and True” (19:11). Didn’t Jesus say He is “the Truth” (John 14:6)? “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13, John 1:1). “The bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus, the rider on the white horse wears His ID on His robe “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (19:16). “He will wipe away every tear ….there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”(21:4). Jesus who gained the victory over death (2 Timothy 1:10), will make everything new (Revelation 21:5a).

God speaking through the prophet Isaiah told His people Israel that one day “Before Me every knee will bow” [Kings and Queens, believers and atheists] (Isaiah 45:23). Quoting that verse, Paul specifies all knees in heaven and on earth and under the earth” adding “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Reflection:

Throughout the uncertainties of human history, many times believers may have thought the time of Jesus’ return was drawing near (Luke 21:28). Even today some are looking towards Jerusalem with that very hope in mind. One day, in God’s perfect timing, Jesus will return. God has always been faithful to His promises and the very fact that we, 2000 years after Jesus walked on earth, have Him in our hearts and lives is proof that He never did/would forsake His own (Matthew 28:20). Hallelujah!

“The Lamb will overcome them [those 10 earthly kings who will give authority to the beast]….because He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 7:12-14).

Devotional

Victory in Jesus

December 2, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever.

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood.

He loved me e’er I knew Him

And all my love is due Him.

He plunged me to victory

Beneath the cleansing flood!

She was in prayer. “Dear God”, she prayed, “I didn’t handle that well. Please forgive me”. Then the words to this dear old song rang through her heart and she knew the joy of victory over thoughts that drag us down, thoughts emphasizing how unworthy we are, instead of giving glory to God for how worthy He is!

The God we worship seeks us out in our darkest moments, demonstrating the reality of true love, which loves in spite of our weaknesses. He puts His arms around us and draws us to His breast….the God of all comfort, as Paul describes Him (2 Corinthians 1:3). I wonder if I am willing to go that far with someone, a brother or sister perhaps who needs to see Jesus in their moments of weakness and despair? Or do I resort to righteous anger when I see someone fall? Knowing my own tendencies, will I lift another up or do I criticize, dwelling on their failure to measure up to a standard I think we all should be reaching for?

The lyricist recognizes that all our love is due the one who first loved us (1 John 4:19). Exercising the love God gifts us with, will raise others up out of the slough of despond, as the author of Pilgrim’s Progress puts it. The very victory we need can be passed on to others whom God is seeking to bless through you and me. What an awesome thought!

Paul describes a mystery in our scripture reading. Perhaps part of that mystery is the fact that death has been swallowed up in victory. Sin cannot sting us because God has provided the antidote. “He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Victory is for His church – the corporate body of believers who defy the power of death by raising the flag, by celebrating the victory!

Where does the victory come from? His redeeming blood…that costly sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. You and I do not need to suffer any longer because His blood covers us like a blanket of righteousness. In humility Jesus gave up His position and place to come to earth to die for you and me, so that we would gain the victory over sin and despair, over guilt and shame. We do need to receive His gift of love, however. A gift is of no value whatsoever if we do not receive it.

Reflection:

When we rejoice in the Lord, in the power of His Word, we demonstrate our acceptance of all that he planned for us. Joy is the hallmark of what it means to be a Christian! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Here’s the thing….in our physical bodies pain warns us we are too near real danger – like putting your finger on a hot stove. In the same way pain reminds us we need help, spiritually. Can we, will we praise God for the signs which warn us of danger, and for His love so freely given to plunge us to victory beneath that cleansing flood? Thanks be to God!

Devotional

The Shortest Prayer

October 30, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 23:42

At Easter we learn some things about the power of prayer! Jesus prayed with His disciples, for His disciples. They could not have envisioned all that was going to take place after their Passover Feast, but they were beginning to feel anxious. Jesus sensed that, telling them not to let their hearts by troubled (John 14:1). He went on to talk about heaven. When our hearts are troubled do we turn our thoughts towards heaven?

Then He finished that special dinner with them by interceding on their behalf (John 17). He prayed for the protection of believers (:11) – which includes you and me today. He also prayed for their sanctification (:17) as well as for their unity (:21-23). His prayer began with asking God to glorify His Son (:1), and ends by His asking that the Father would ultimately glorify all His children (:24).

For those of us who find it difficult to spend time in prayer, this may have seemed a long one. However, Jesus prayed once again in the garden of Gethsemane. This time it was with infinitely more intensity! His own heart was troubled, greatly troubled! He experienced a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis. Only in extreme agony can blood be expelled through the sweat glands, resulting in the skin become very tender and fragile. Consider that through the night and into the day, His skin was put to the test with frequent beatings. Knowing all things, Jesus knew what agonies He faced as He prayed in the Garden that night.

However, Jesus was silent before His accusers. He acknowledged only that He was indeed King of the Jews. Hanging on the cross He had brief interaction with His heavenly Father only twice. He called on God to forgive His persecutors, generously reminding God they didn’t understand the depth of their sin. The second cry of agony came as He was separated from His Father for the first and only time.

Just before that cry of agony, Jesus’ compassion could be seen as He cared for His mother. Also, He cared about sinners who repented until the last moment of His life. As His blood was poured out for the men beside Him, only one received forgiveness of sins along with the promise that that very day they would be together in Paradise.

Reflection:

Our prayer of repentance doesn’t have to be couched in theological language, carefully intoned. In this account of 3 men hanging side by side on crosses, we hear the whisper “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. Short and to the point…he didn’t list all of his sins, but this man recognized Jesus as Sovereign God! What a revelation! What a moment – only one or two minutes between him and eternity! It is never too late, while we draw breath. It was a short prayer, heart to heart.

Devotional

He Chose the Nails

April 21, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

John 10:17-18

Max Lucado has written “Oh the hands of Jesus! Hands of incarnation at his birth. Hands of liberation as he healed. Hands of inspiration as he taught. Hands of dedication as he served. And hands of salvation as he died.”

Considering how quickly we complain if we suffer from cuts and bruises, have we ever considered the physical pain of having nails right through our hands? Think of it! Not only are bones and tissues injured, but delicate nerves going to each finger would be cut. That hand would be destroyed forever, bearing the weight of a body hanging from the cross.

Max Lucado goes on to challenge us to see what Jesus knew, what drove His purpose and gave Him the strength to carry through what was God’s will for Him. The Apostle Paul got it! “He [God] canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross” (Colossians 2:14). With Max let us imagine the list between Christ’s hands and the wood – a list of my sins and yours, and the “sins of the world” (John 3:16).

I wonder what choices you and I might be challenged with as we walk this life’s journey. We cannot blame others, as Adam and Eve tried to do. Listen to our forefather: “The woman You put here”…is he blaming God? At least he is shifting responsibility to Eve – “she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12). It’s a pitiful argument for the stupendous thing they had done. The whole of life here on earth, from then until now, rested on their decision to question what God had said.

Perhaps Eve’s statement was even weaker. The devil made me do it (Genesis 3:13). Have you ever wished to blame someone else because you couldn’t bear the weight of responsibility? So – just for you Christ bore the weight on His hands. Think of it!

Years later a “man after God’s own heart” failed to live up to his reputation. David saw Bathsheba bathing on a roof top and he was tempted. What do you do when you are tempted. Before we say we would walk away…let us examine our own hearts. How many times have we eaten another cookie, or that one more piece of chocolate. How easy is it to walk away from temptation and then to blame someone else?

Reflection:

Max Lucado closes with another serious thought. He [Jesus] knew the price of his sins [Max’s], and yours and mine was death. We celebrate, every time we take communion, the death of our Lord Jesus, who knew how weak and helpless we are, how often we give into temptation “just one more…..”. “God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).

His nail scarred hands welcome you and me into glory. Thank God He chose the nails!

Devotional

Today’s Anti-Christ

January 6, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

1 John 4:1-5

Paul wrote that “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

It seems rather shocking to know that there was a spirit of anti-Christ in the same generation in which Christ lived. His Apostle John describes this for us, in his small epistle of 1 John. He identifies how we might distinguish what is from God’s Spirit. “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is of God” (1 John 4:2). After Jesus died, the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort Jesus’ disciples, but His ministry was much more far-reaching in that it also convicted men of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). The rejection of that conviction forms the basis of the attitude that ‘I do not need God.’

However, man was created to worship. That need will be fulfilled. Down through history the spirit of anti-Christ has taken man into the depths of degradation as they worshiped idols, worshiped self, and even worship Satan….anything but Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Sometimes it starts quite innocently. Father Christmas became the imaginary donor of gifts to little children, a character adopted from stories played out in the Middle Ages. To encourage good behaviour a system of reward was developed…and through the centuries has changed even further. For example, naughty children no longer get a lump of coal in their stockings, since in an era of electric heat, coal is meaningless.

One must wonder if Christ has been replaced by Santa in order to make Christmas palatable to folks of other religious persuasions? Let’s look at a couple of comparisons. Santa comes from a mysterious place. Jesus came from heaven. Santa is benevolent. Jesus gave His life for all who would receive Him. But now we see a measured difference: Santa rewards good behaviour. Jesus makes us holy, cleansing us from sin and freeing us by forgiving us. Also, Santa has no offer for eternity, whereas Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life. If Santa remained an imaginative figure like Winnie the Pooh, all is not lost, but when he replaces that which is sacred and all our carols adore Santa rather than Christ our Lord, we need to look at this seriously.

In a curious twist, notice the letters that make up Santa also make up another word which is Biblical ..…Satan. I would hate to malign the jolly fat man in a pretty red suit, who is kind and caring with little children, but there is a “BUT”. If we teach our children to base all their hopes and dreams on Santa, are we not exercising the spirit of anti-Christ? Imagination is not bad; Bart Millard exercised his in the following lyrics:

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine
I can only imagine Bart Millard

Reflection:

What does Christmas mean to you specifically. Some years ago there was a trend to shorten it to Xmas. Isn’t that what a lot of folks have done in their hearts? Crossed out our Christ? Oh may God forgive us! Without Jesus, Christmas would be meaningless. If He is the “reason for the Season” let us sing

“Joy to the World the Lord has come” instead of “Here comes Santa Claus”

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Who is Jesus?

December 31, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 1:18-23

Do a survey among your community of family and friends asking this question. You may be surprised at the answers you get.

More than 2,000 years ago a baby was born in Bethlehem, a baby whose life and teachings shaped the next two millennia. Until now this event has even influenced the recording of our calendar years, gauging time by years before Christ (BC) and after His death (AD). How is it possible that something as important to the human race as time, has been governed by the birth of a baby born in obscurity?

The Bible records another astonishing incident – this baby was visited by kings from the east, “Magi” who honoured Him with costly gifts. Apparently the stars announced His birth to these learned men from afar. If that were possible, then we would no longer wonder that a few shepherds were astonished at the choir of angels singing praises to God. Through this baby, born in an insignificant town, in a small and oppressed nation, God was bringing peace to the world –

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2:14).

So we ask again – ‘Who is Jesus?”

An angel appeared to Joseph, confirming that his betrothed wife was going to give birth to a baby conceived in her by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). What did Joseph know about the Holy Spirit? The angel also gave a name to this baby – ‘Jesus’. We’ve previously noted that Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which in Hebrew means “the Lord saves”.

Centuries before this miraculous birth God gave Isaiah a prophecy that a virgin would be with child…impossible! Yes! But God is the God of the impossible, Jesus told his disciples (Mark 10:27). The prophet also predicted the name of the child would mean “God with us” – Immanuel!

During His three-year ministry several people recognized Jesus as the Messiah (the One anointed to take the throne of David Matthew 1:1), the Christ. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, about whom we hear very little, was the first to call Jesus ‘Messiah’ as he excitedly ran to Peter with this momentous news! (John 1:41). Next was the Samaritan woman…..demonstrating God’s love for all people! Imagine that He entrusted such identification to a woman who was not a Jewess! Jesus’ identity was revealed to a woman of ill repute, of a nationality despised by the Jews (John 4:29).

Reflection:
How do you see Jesus?

What might make Jesus the most powerful influence in your life?

What would you like your nearest and dearest to know about Jesus?…and why?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Man Peter

July 1, 2024 Admin1 Comment

Matthew 16:16-18

How many of us can identify with the man called Peter? Jesus named him Peter, “Petros” which in the original Greek means “Rock”. Because Jesus is the Creator of all things, including people – Peter, you and me, He knows what name to give to each of us. Did Jesus call Simon “Peter” because of some inherent strength that he exhibited from childhood?

Looking at the life of Peter we do see a certain confidence expressed in his bombastic disposition. He was forever blustering…correcting Jesus when he didn’t like His predictions (Matthew 16:22), and generally assuming leadership within the group of disciples. Peter was wordy, always having answers…a take-charge sort of man. Was it because of this that Jesus named him the “Rock”? Peter makes a fascinating psychological study.

But we learn most from Peter’s spiritual journey. Just like everyone else, he was a complex mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Full of ideas, Peter suggested that booths should be built to commemorate the meeting of Jesus with Elijah and Moses, at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2,5-6). On the surface this was a magnificent thought! However, we must notice his words were motivated by fear, not feeling. (How many people have tried to serve Jesus for the wrong reasons?)

His fears overwhelmed him on the night Jesus was taken by soldiers to face charges laid against Him by the religious right of that day. The Jewish leaders rose up to defy His deity, by having Jesus crucified and Peter, moved by panic denied knowing Him, not once, but three times (Luke 22:56-62). Recognizing his failure, Peter wept bitterly. At that moment he could have penned the words of a song we sing today:

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all.

Thankfully he didn’t give up. This man, jelly-like in his lack of loyalty, became a Rock constructed by Jesus, when he once recognized his own weakness. Here’s the thing….in spite of your weakness and mine, Jesus is able to do the impossible. He can and will make us solid in our faith. It isn’t all bad to reflect on our past sins, if we then recognize the glorious truth that we are made strong by our Creator, Himself, when we admit our inadequacy!

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.

How many times can we fall down, before Jesus will no longer pick us up? We know of at least 3 instances in Peter’s life, but our Lord assured His disciples that they would be forgiven as they forgave others, up to seventy times seven. Who is counting?

Reflection:

As we worship let us remember Peter grew as he leaned on Jesus! Both he and the Apostle Paul knew what it meant for weakness to be turned into strength (Hebrews 11:34). Do you?

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Getting in God’s Way

June 4, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 16:13-

The Bible records a story that is close to the experience of every believer. How often do we try to interpret God’s word as instruction for us to do something? Sadly we often do so on the basis of incomplete listening. We are so frequently reactionary that we only have half the picture when we fly off to “do” or to “fix” something.

Perhaps this is why we are told “…know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In that same verse the Lord tells His people to “Be still” – cease striving, and know that I am God. It seems that although they claimed to know God, they didn’t understand the magnificence or the intentions of this Sovereign Being.

God spoke: “I will be exalted among the nations.” Pretty incongruous with the state of affairs in their world. So many other nations, heathens, pagans, were worshiping at the shrines of man-made gods. How would God be exalted among the nations? Certainly not with their help. Stop trying to fix it, God said.

A hymn-writer penned the words “Speak Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on Thee.” If God speaks to us in a still small voice, will we hear Him amidst the noise of our world? What assurance will we have that God speaks to His children today if we don’t practise the art of listening?

Back to our story – Peter had just identified Jesus as Divine. Jesus commended him for listening to the Holy Spirit who had revealed this truth to him, for it was on that truth that Jesus would build His church! (16:18) WOW! Imagine having that “well done” from Jesus’ own lips! However, Peter, being Peter, fails to listen to the rest of what Jesus needed to teach His disciples. He interrupted Him in the middle of an important prophecy. He only heard “I will be killed” – or that was what Peter thought he heard. Words tumbling over each other, Peter hastened to correct Jesus by exclaiming that was impossible! (Matthew 16:22).

Immediately Jesus turned the tables and spoke to him sharply. You are acting just like Satan; in fact your denial of my sacrifice is exactly what Satan wants this needy world to believe (16:23). You see – Peter was getting in God’s way. The perfect plan God was orchestrating in order to achieve redemption for the sins of the world, would have been turned upside down by Peter’s well-meaning protection of the One who needed to be his Saviour!

When the unexpected, or distasteful happens to us we are often tempted to tell God “Never, Lord!” just as Peter did, but if it fits into a Divine plan that is veiled from our eyes, might we just get in God’s way? Perhaps we need to pause, to listen carefully, and to wait for God to clarify His purpose, before we deny Him the opportunity to teach us precious lessons that He knows we need to learn.

Reflection:

Think about what God’s purpose might be in some unwelcome circumstance in your life.

Do your reactions tend to get in God’s way?

Does He sometimes need to rebuke you for not listening?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Splendour of His Holiness

May 28, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 96:9

Which scriptures teach you and me how to worship our Lord? Off the top, can you think of anything beyond the well-known verse penned by an unknown author? “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (KJV). “Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness” (Psalm 96:9 NIV) Awesome! We worship Him because He is Holy.

What do we know about the holiness of God? We sing about it: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” but what do we mean? Jesus said “I have come to do your will” (Matthew 26:39) and “By that will we are made holy [set apart*] through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:10).

There are many other words associated with God’s holiness. “Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One commentator notes: “God is supremely and exclusively God. He has no rivals. As uniquely excellent, He is His own category”. Samuel wrote “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside You” (1 Samuel 2:2). Apparently, the Bible calls God “the Holy One” over 50 times and calls the Spirit of God “the Holy Spirit” over 90 times. While God alone is holy [set apart*], there is a sense in which we humans also may be holy.

However, there are many temptations through life which would lure us away from the path of holiness. Peter knew that better than anyone. He warns his readers: “Just as He who called you is holy, be holy in all you do, for it is written ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ ” (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:16). First of all we must be intentional.

We will never achieve the beauty of God’s holiness, but His example gives us something to strive for. We have the life of Christ revealed to us in God’s Holy Word. What might we take from this? Holy means to be set apart*. In the purity of His sinless life, Christ is indeed set apart. No other human has achieved the splendour of His perfect life. He has gone down through history as God’s Holy Son, God in a man’s body, pure and perfect.

How does this apply to you and me today? For one thing, God has given us instructions in moral purity to follow, in the Bible. We have been set apart to be different because the Holy Spirit lives in each believer, growing us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus, loving, joyful, peaceable, patient and kind…and the list goes on (Galatians 5:22). Christ is our hero in holiness!

Reflection:

Purity? Holiness? Is it fair that God sets before us what looks like an impossible task? Let me suggest it is only when we are inspired by the vision of His splendour, that we will strive to be more like Him! Have we seen Jesus in all of His glory, raised from the dead? If we take time to be holy, we will spend time in His presence, getting to know the God we say we worship. Regarding fairness we might ask: Do we long to suffer whatever life throws at us in the same spirit as He suffered all that He faced on the cross, and all that went before it?

“Majesty! Worship His majesty! Unto Jesus be all glory, honour and praise!”

By Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

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With Me in Paradise

May 20, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 23:38-46

The man was a hardened criminal. What the specifics of his crime were we are not told, but he got the death penalty. It was a hideous death, the type saved for the worst. He was labelled a thief, but had he also killed someone in his attempt at robbery? Sometimes they just cut off the hands, but this was total defeat, hanging on a cross. A Roman cross. What was his nationality? Was he a Roman too? Or was he a Jew? Surely Jews were above petty thieving….so punishment this serious meant it was a complicated case. Who were his judges? The religious elite of Pharisees, or the Roman tribunal?

Had he and the other thief been working together? Did they know each other at all? They carried on a brief conversation as they hung there. Actually, it was not quite a conversation but began by the one thief hurling insults at the man dying between them. He made demands of the man “If…..save yourself and us” (Luke 23:39). He must have heard of this man’s reputation for healing and doing miracles. Why was he there hanging on a cross? So many questions!

Our first criminal retorted “Don’t you believe in God?” Imagine – what a place for a testimony of faith. He went on to declare Jesus righteous…yes – it was Jesus Christ, hanging between 2 thieves. “This man [Jesus] has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41).

What did these men dying on either side of our Lord know about Him? One demanding with sneers: “Aren’t you the Christ?” The other humbly asking that Jesus would remember him when he came into His kingdom (Luke 23:39, 42). Had he read the sign “King of the Jews”? (:38). What could he possibly have known about the Kingdom? He even called Jesus by name (:42).

Jesus’ answer has given hope to thousands of people down through the course of human history. TODAY. Immediately! Now. Had Jesus discovered faith in the heart of this man who was suffering the same physical agony He experienced? What qualified Him to give assurances now? He looked like a mighty failure, fallen prey to the religious right.

Typical of Jesus, He prefaced His answer with His usual “I tell you the truth” (:43). It’s a truth we need to hear today. It brings comfort at the moment of death. “Today you will be with Me” (:43) Where was this King of the Jews going? Didn’t everyone who died go to Hades, the place of the dead? He leaves this man in no doubt. The truth is He was going to Paradise. PARADISE?

Perhaps in his whole life this unfortunate human being had no hope of ever being in Paradise. And now the flicker of recognition from his heart to God’s brought him the promise he had never dreamed possible. He wouldn’t have to wait for it either. Paradise is the abode of God – Heaven. Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of Paradise when he told them about Abraham and Lazarus in Paradise, and the rich man’s conversation out of the torments of hell (Luke 16:22). Here was another social leper, a pariah surprised by Jesus’ promise to honour his dying faith and to bring him to Paradise. There has been controversy about where Jesus was during the time he was in the grave, but this clearly indicates he went to Paradise. There He greeted this man who believed in Him. What a glorious picture of God’s mercy and grace. It is never too late!

Reflection:

Reviewing this event, did your heart swell with joy at the compassionate discernment of our Saviour who was willing to let another sinner into Paradise on the whispered prayer of faith?

Did that joy remind you of your own experience when you met the Master face to face and longed to follow Him, whether it was here on earth or into heaven?

Who are you praying for today – that one you long to see whispering a prayer of faith?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)