No.6 sunrise at Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland.
Photography courtesy of Ben Bremner. https://www.facebook.com/ben.donna.grand.day.out

And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43 (NASB)

Today we return to the verse we read yesterday; it is indeed a rich verse for believers. As mere men we awaken in the morning, hoping that the day ahead will be a good one. If we have Christ in our life there is no need to worry, but we still do. Without Christ though life is a gamble, based on where we have laid our chips in this sinful world. But there is great hope for our eternal future in the words of Christ in today’s verse.

Jesus says to the thief “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” [emphasis added]. Their bodies would die on that hill, but their souls would ascend to Paradise (Heaven) immediately. In this we have the separation of body and soul, and the soul going to Heaven without delay. There was no such fate awaiting the other unrepentant criminal; his fate was to descend to Hell – the righteous and unrighteous are separated in death. But look at the beautiful promise in the last words; “you shall be with Me in Paradise.” What an amazing line; that criminal came face to face with Christ his Saviour that very day in Heaven…and how different it was to their first meeting.

Dear Reader, are you going to meet Jesus your Lord and Saviour in Heaven someday? Will you see Him in all His Glory in that Heavenly Paradise? I hope and pray that I see you there someday.

11 thoughts on “Face To Face With Christ”

    1. Good morning Pete. These sunrise photos by Ben & Donna take planning, having to rise at just after 2am in Dundee and drive for over an hour to the west of Scotland. There is another set of their artwork beginning soon. As you rightly point out though, God is the true Artist in our landscape. God bless you today brother 🙏

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      1. Wow! That reminds me of when U was still preaching at our small home church and spending 4-5 hrs preparing the message and hand outs in 2 languages for a 35 minute message. The best ones were all by God’s grace and for His glory but there is definitely a lot that no one but He will see.

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  3. So much for “faith plus works”! The thief had no opportunity to do “works”.
    So much for “My sin is too great for God to forgive.” He never had an opportunity to make up for his sins.
    My conclusion: Christ is enough! More than enough! Hallelujah!
    Blessings, Alan!

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