Psalms 100-102
1 Corinthians 1
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” Luke 23:43
What an amazing thought from the opening verse of this devotion—Jesus entering paradise! The Son of God who, for about 33 years, lived on earth will return to heaven. The physical death of Jesus, followed by His physical resurrection, proved to many who saw Him that life exists beyond the grave.
What is “paradise”? We find “paradise” mentioned only two other times in Scripture. The first is in Paul’s letter: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago...was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). The second is in the book of Revelation: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). In the last chapter of Revelation, we find that the tree of life is in the heavenly city of God.
One of the deepest fears of the human race lies in the question of dying. To some extent, we all fear death, and unless Christ’s second returns comes first, we will all pass through it. This is why Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). There is no middle ground, no other way to be saved. Jesus also tells us, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
The moment we cross over from death to life, heaven is a promise to those in Christ. Paul tells us, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1). The death of Jesus was a necessary means to an end in order that He may conquer sin and death itself. Paul also writes, “...but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
We can receive a glorious life beyond the grave when we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sin, was raised again on the third day and indwells us. Just as Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise, we need not fear death, because heaven is a promise for those in Christ.
Precious Jesus, thank You for the glorious life that I can have when I believe in Your finished work. I am grateful for the sacrifice You made to give me the promise of heaven. Praise You!
1 Corinthians 1
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’” Luke 23:43
What an amazing thought from the opening verse of this devotion—Jesus entering paradise! The Son of God who, for about 33 years, lived on earth will return to heaven. The physical death of Jesus, followed by His physical resurrection, proved to many who saw Him that life exists beyond the grave.
What is “paradise”? We find “paradise” mentioned only two other times in Scripture. The first is in Paul’s letter: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago...was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). The second is in the book of Revelation: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). In the last chapter of Revelation, we find that the tree of life is in the heavenly city of God.
One of the deepest fears of the human race lies in the question of dying. To some extent, we all fear death, and unless Christ’s second returns comes first, we will all pass through it. This is why Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). There is no middle ground, no other way to be saved. Jesus also tells us, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
The moment we cross over from death to life, heaven is a promise to those in Christ. Paul tells us, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1). The death of Jesus was a necessary means to an end in order that He may conquer sin and death itself. Paul also writes, “...but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
We can receive a glorious life beyond the grave when we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sin, was raised again on the third day and indwells us. Just as Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise, we need not fear death, because heaven is a promise for those in Christ.
Precious Jesus, thank You for the glorious life that I can have when I believe in Your finished work. I am grateful for the sacrifice You made to give me the promise of heaven. Praise You!
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