Today

Today you shall be with me in Paradise.  Luke 23:43

While reading Jesus' conversation with one of the criminals as they hung side by side on their crosses I was struck by the different attitudes of the 2 criminals.  One man was harsh and unrepentant, the other's heart was soft and discerning.  The latter admitted he deserved his punishment, but somehow he also knew that Jesus had no place being on that cross, that His punishment was totally undeserved. Perhaps he had been around in the background when Jesus was teaching and his heart had been stirred, but too late to save him from the full force of the law.

As the hard-hearted criminal derided Jesus along with the crowd, this one chided him then spoke directly to Jesus.  "Lord, remember me, when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus' reply was instant and reassuring, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Today!  The sceptic who knows the Bible may say, "Ah, but the Bible says that Jesus did not immediately go to heaven, he visited the captives in hell, then he wandered the earth for 40 days, appearing to the disciples and others during that time."

That is all true, but Jesus was God in the flesh, and God dwells in eternity.  Where He is it is always TODAY.  When scripture says in Hebrews 3:7-8 ​​“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion....", that tense never changes.  If you missed the boat yesterday and hardened your heart or failed again in overcoming a weakness, you have a new opportunity today! The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, TODAY and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  It also says that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). Hallelujah!

Our God is the God of TODAY, and He is the God of all comfort and mercy.  There is no reason at all why you have to live in your past or remain stuck in your failure.  He makes all things new.  We just have to pick ourselves up, shake off the 'dirt' and come to Him for mercy and grace today. (Hebrews 4:16).  If He could do it for a criminal condemned to die, He can and will do it for you.  Don't wallow in your failure, rejoice in his forgiveness.... TODAY.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank you that today is always a new opportunity to walk in the joy of your forgiveness and love.  Help me not to beat myself up over my failures but rather to rejoice in the joy and freedom that your forgiveness brings.  Amen