Beautiful Words Blog | Real Inclusion by John Moropoulos | Gateway Christian Fellowship

There are many things in the Gospel record concerning our Lord’s crucifixion that give us pause.  The details of our Lord’s scourging leave us in wonder and shame.  Wonder at the love expressed for us and shame knowing it was my sin that caused it.  Our Lord’s journey from the place of His beatings to the hill upon which He was crucified, the agonizing walk to His suffering’s final end, challenges our imagination.  How is it possible?

One thing that has always been a question for me regards Jesus’ words to the thief crucified next to Him.

“Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

At first reading, it is a straightforward declaration of the immediacy and effectiveness of human confession and divine forgiveness working in tandem.  The criminal’s “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” shows us the man understood who he was and who Jesus is.  Jesus reassuring response shows us how quickly the gates are opened to the one who embraces our Lord’s offer of forgiveness, acceptance, and complete inclusion in His kingdom.

The Hebrew word for “paradise” is drawn from ancient Persian.  It includes two ideas. The first idea is one of separation, for paradise always includes a wall or barrier.  This separates those privileged to enjoy the wonder of Paradise from those excluded.  The second part is the beauty of the world inside the walls.  It is almost always characterized by trees and other greenery.  It is well watered.  It is peaceful, it calls us.

These images are consistent with the description of The Garden in the opening chapters of Genesis.  The Garden is distinct from the rest of Creation, it is a place where humanity and the Creator can walk together, and that without fear.  It comes, tragically, to a place of separation, with an angel stationed to prevent human entry.

Jesus promised the repentant thief access.  More importantly He said, “you will be with Me.”  This is the real promise of Paradise, He will be with us and we will be with Him.  The details of the trees, the plants and flowers, the exact location, and all of that, are altogether secondary to the singular reality that He will be with us and we will be with Him.  That is the real joy of the Paradise that awaits us.

This is what the human heart longs for, even if it doesn’t know it. It is our greatest need.  The events of our Lord’s passion, up to and including the Resurrection, give us assurance it is ours if we ask.

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!