by Terrence Clark CLC (review)
Today In Paradise Sunday 3.29 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43), (Luke 23:39-43). The proposition is answered in one unfailing breath. (42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou come into thy kingdom. There is no pause. There is no mandate for the inquirer to confess all of his sin. There was no hour spent at the altar to assure there was not anything missed. The Lamb of God answered quickly. “Today you shall be with me.” I mean, it was evident that the thief was a sinner. He was there on a cross on the same hill of Calvary. By his own admission, he declared it, saying of him (and the other malefactor of prideful accusation). (39) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. “We deserve this,” he said. (40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. So it wasn’t just Rome’s conviction. He knew. No need for Johnny Cochran or any greater lawyer to prove “beyond the shadow of a doubt” Yet, he was no less guilty than the pious men, the soldiers, Jesus mother, John the beloved, or you and me that stood under that tree. In a few more minutes Jesus would address eternity. He would declare---“It is Finished.” Every that was needed to be done was complete. Everything, from the fulfillment prophecy concerning as the Suffering Savior, to the fulfilling of the Old Covenant, to the payment of the debt of every man sin from Adam to forever. It would be the moment of consummation of His Word--- “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”---John 14:6. And others like, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.”---John 10:11. Yet in all that, the God so loved the world, still has “one” on His mind. I heard the Lord say—there was more. He knew that there would be two thieves crucified with him on Golgotha. He knew one would stay in his pride. He knew the other would call out to him. His own Word said, If I be lifted up (on the cross) I will draw all men to me---John 12:32. Before it could be finished, he had to stay until that dying sinner could call on His name, and be saved. I am always amazed of the Love of the Lord. The ministry the Spirit requires of us, He also willing demonstrates. He calls us to go beyond ourselves, our comfort zone, and reach out to minister to someone else. His love for the thief was no less than His love for the world. Someone always ask, “When the saved die, do they go to heaven?” We know by this, they go to be with the Lord. Paul says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:18). The thief went to Paradise, because at that time, it’s where the Lord went. The place of Paradise needs some defining, but simply put, compared to the place that the damned go, the name is deserving. Today Jesus is seated in Heavenly places with the Father. If we are present with him, then that sure sounds like heaven to me. At any view, any place with Jesus is Heaven, and if you want to take it further, living saved folk are with Him now. The cry of the thief, no matter what the fullness of the sin is, is only a moment away from the redemption of the Son of God. In that moment of receiving Him as Lord, for the believer, Paradise has begun. If these journal excerpts have been a blessing to you, please pass them on to your friends. And please visit us and share your testimony on www.VoiceCNC.com Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |
If these journal excerpts have been a blessing to you, please pass them on to your friends. And please visit us and share your testimony on www.VoiceCNC.com
Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |