Living in the Spirit
November 20, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 23:33-43

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ –Luke 23:39-43

What is your vision of Paradise? Often Paradise is describe using our most exuberant descriptions of material wealth. The word translated in our scripture today as paradise is an ancient Persian word meaning enclosure, garden, park*. My mother experienced paradise every time she entered a garden. I, on the other hand, experienced extreme sinus symptoms working in the garden. Early in my life, I was left in the house with indoor chores to work on while others did the garden work. While I did not particularly enjoy garden work, I appreciate gardens of all types and thus my idea of paradise might be the ability to spend time among the flowers sans the sinus issues.

So, what is Jesus granting the man on the cross? An enclosed garden is safe from predators  that might bring harm. Gardens provide sustenance for life. Gardens require regular attention and care. Parks are places for not only fun in abandon, but also quiet reflection. Gardens are foundational to an abundant life.

Jesus liked to hang out in gardens. I guess that was his closest place to home, ours too.

Prayer: Lord, in a time when we hunger for closeness to you, place us in gardens of love and service and be very present with us. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/3857.htmAll scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard

Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian 
Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of AmericanUsed by permission. All rights reserved.