The Prize of Paradise

Luke 23:39-43
        One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
        
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I’ve always read this passage and focused in on how Jesus says, “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” but I’ve never really stopped to examine the repentant thief’s comment.

It says that the rulers hurled insults at Jesus, the soldiers mocked him, the people insulted him, one of the criminals railed at him. All these people are insulting Jesus and yet there’s one man who is also hanging on a cross, watching all of this happen to Jesus, and he’s thinking differently from the rest.

This man had done something that deserved crucifixion, and he admits to it. He’s a very interesting character. How he came to arrive at this place where he can accept his fate and not fall into bitterness, also hurling insults at Jesus and the world, is very admirable. His statement, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” is whirling through my mind.

He’s probably heard of Jesus through others, or maybe he heard him teaching firsthand. Or maybe he’s just read the sign above Jesus’ head on the cross. Either way, his statement here is both a plea and a statement of faith. He somehow believes that Jesus will inherit a kingdom, and he asks that he be remembered when this event happens.

What’s so awesome about this statement is this man probably had the same understanding of the coming of the kingdom of God that other Jews and believers had at the time - that the kingdom of God would come in a great military power and overthrow the Roman empire by force. Somehow, this criminal is hoping that Jesus will still accomplish this somehow, even though Jesus is hanging on a cross next to him! That’s a great faith.

What he doesn’t understand, is this faith will lead him into the kingdom of God that very day. And the kingdom is not what he expects. Jesus says that this man will be with him in “Paradise,” the same word used for the Garden of Eden. They’re not going to the Garden, but the implication is that the kingdom consists of a personal, intimate relationship with God that engages all human senses. It’s paradise in the fullest sense.

I remember that movie “The Beach.” A lot of people hated it but I really liked it at the time. When we try to imagine paradise, a lot of similar images pop into our minds: calm beaches, healthy trees, great scenery, a sense of solitude (not overly crowded), the company of those we love. Most people probably wouldn’t include “the presence of God in the flesh” in their definition of paradise.

I think there’s a part of us that realizes “paradise” has an earthly component; that paradise can be found on earth somewhere. But we typically fail to realize that the perfect paradise is empty without God as the ultimate prize of paradise. Eden was perfect not because of the scenery and innocence of man. It was perfect because there was a perfect relationship between man and God. Paradise is not perfect unless there is a perfect king who loves and cares for those who live there.

This is the goal and hope of all our lives. And it is only found through the king of paradise. But it’s not just a hope, it’s a job. We as Christians aren’t just trying to get to paradise and lead others to paradise; we’re also helping people see that a part of this paradise is already here among us, in our midst. That’s only possible because the Spirit of God, the king, is on earth. Paradise will be perfected one day, but until then, we can open eyes to see that some of it is already here.