#7LASTWORD "Today you will be with me in paradise!"

Today you will be with me in paradise!

Verily, I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in paradise. Lk 23:43

Today you will be with me in paradise. These words of Jesus was his response to the one who asked Him, Lord remember me when you will be in your Kingdom. Today defines the actual moment, like: «give us today our daily bread ». The adverb of time that is commonly use to indicate: “at the present time”, “at this time” or “very soon”.  But “time” has two connotations in greek: the Kronos  and the Kairos.  The first one refers to the indefinite continued progress of existence and events, measured in hours, minutes and seconds. But the latter, the Kairos, is the “opportune time”; “the proper or the favorable time for action”.

Today you will be with me in paradise. There was an immediate reply with no further a due or demand of request. Jesus knew so well that the man who was asking him to be “remembered” wasn’t a morally upright person or a temple goer. He was hanged there and crucified because he deserved of such punishment as a criminal.

Salvation comes from the Lord. It’s not fruit of our merits and labors, or some exaggerated religiosities, because God can raise up children for Abraham out of the stones (cfr. Lk 3:8; Mt 3:9), God doesn't need religious men and women to manifest His power and might, somehow what a believer can do is to produce fruit  in keeping with repentance. Thus, God can do wonders. Jesus himself doesn't like those who pray and babble like pagans, thinking that they would be heard because of their many words (Mt 6:7). This "criminal" got the right password of hope: "Remember me Lord..."

Faith and repentance go together. Lately, because of CoVid-19, there are a lot of Apocalyptic pastors disseminating fear, urging repentance and coming back to God. But surely it’s not because of love and faith, but out of Fear. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 Jn 4,18)

The “converted criminal” has not done nothing to be deserving of paradise, but he has loved Jesus as his God because of what he has witnessed, so he confessed:

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lk 23:41-42

Prayer
Jesus, I know that my good actions aren’t enough to save myself from any punishment because of my sins.  I humbly come to you and ask your Holy Spirit that I may believe and increase my faith.

Loving Father in heaven, I ask forgiveness to all my sins in the name of Jesus and I declare your work of redemption, remembering the greatest expression of your love to all mankind by allowing your only Son to die on Cross so to save all men.

Because of this, I ask you Loving Father, healing from my pains and my sufferings caused by ….. (name the cause), and I also pray for the healing of those who are suffering right now because of the Corona Virus.

Thank you Jesus, thank you for giving me today this certainty, today is the opportune time of my salvation, the favorable time of my deliverance and healing. I worship you my Lord and I adore you now and forever.