Kingdom Building

November 22, 2019

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 23:38-43

The word Paradise is an ancient Persian word meaning “enclosure, garden, park.”* Isn’t that wonderful imagery to soothe a troubled soul. More important than being assured that a haven awaits just ahead is the assurance that Jesus will be there too.

Of course, we have that promise right now, that the Spirit of God is with us in all that we do. Providing guidance and support. Sometimes we get so caught up in the chaos of the world we forget to recognize that fact to our peril.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
  Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
  Sweetly my soul doth rest.
Hark! ’tis a song of heaven
  Borne in the sweetest voice,
Echoed by saints in spirit,
  Making my heart rejoice.

   Safe in the arms of Jesus,
  Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
    Sweetly my soul doth rest*.

Prayer: Lord of Life, comfort us in your continuous presence with each of us and all of us together as we seek to turn this world into a Paradise. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/3857.htm

**First verse and chorus of Safe in the Arms of Jesus by Fanny Jane Crosby see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/679

All 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.