“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:43
“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to Him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house…'” – Luke 19:8, 9
Most things in life require some type of waiting period…an application process…a time of preparation. When students are deciding where to go to college they anxiously await to hear where they will be accepted. “Your application is being processed.” If you want to get a mortgage or loan you must fill out the paperwork and then wait to find out if you qualify. “We will get back to you in a few days.” When I drop my car off at the shop I wait to get the call letting me know what will be required and what it will cost. Even most churches will have a process or a informational training before accepting new members…and all have their purpose.
So, it makes sense that we would tend to see our relationship with God in the same way. We come to God and submit the application for eternal life. Name. Address. Social security number. Qualifications? (Hmmmm). Church attendance (sparse…attach extra page with excuses). Amount of Bible reading (occasional…that’s gonna hurt me). How many contemporary praise songs do you know? (What? Are you kidding me?) On and on we go with the things that we think will help us in our eternal standings with God…and then we wait…and we treat life here on earth like a waiting room for salvation. A trial period when we must qualify or prove our worth. But…then there is the thief on the cross…and a unexpected response.
“Today…”
No waiting…no application…no investigation of his religious activities or his doctrine of the trinity. Jesus responds immediately and assures the newly “born again” man that he has been heard and the reward for his faith will be his that very day. What?
Who does this Jesus think He is that He can promise this man a seat in Paradise…and give a time of delivery? No background check? No decision card to sign? Know this my fellow believer…the cry of the lost soul for salvation will always be heard immediately. The Jesus who loves us and died for us will always respond to the prayers of the humble and brokenhearted without delay. Whether it is a prayer for salvation or a prayer for a restoration of your relationship with Him, He will always answer today! Your relationship with Him is top priority…there is no process…no application fee…no requirements other than a repentant heart.
You see, Jesus not only hears our requests…He hears them today. There is no switchboard. There is no “holding for the next available agent”…no “please call back during regular business hours”. God’s Kingdom work is open 24/7. He stands ready to receive your call. Your request is heard and processed immediately. You are speaking to the man in charge. He has the authority and the power to give you an answer right now…today.
Do you need to get your heart right with Jesus today? Come before Him with your humble request and know that he hears you as sure as He heard the thief on the cross. He knows what you need and He knows when you need it. You can make things right with God today.