Seven Last Words “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

” Revd Stroma McDermott

Opening Centring Prayer:The Presence of God“Be still, and know that I am God!” Lord, may your spirit guide us to seek your loving presence more and more for it is there I find rest and refreshment from this busy world.

The WordGod speaks to each of us individually. We need to listen, to hear what he is saying. Let us read the text a few times; then listen. 

Luke 23:39-43 

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  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.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Meditation:

None of us are completely free of doubt in the spiritual life. And in these moments of doubt, we may ask ourselves, ‘what awaits me after I die? Is all of this faith in vain? What has happened to all the people I have loved? Will I see them again? What awaits me reward or punishment?

In 2009 the theology think tank Theos did a survey in the UK of the general population and found that 53% of those surveyed believed in heaven and the afterlife. This % is way beyond the number who attend churches or mosques or temples or synagogues. Something in our sense of who we are and our deep spiritual roots holds on to this belief in the eternal.

As Christians life after death forms one of the key understandings of our faith, the Easter story of death conquered and yet sometimes even very devout, faithful committed believers wrestle with these questions and have doubts.

I remember having to have an emergency C section with our son Christian. Damian had been sent home so I was on my own when the surgeon rushed in and said “prep her”. It needed to be asap and so a general anaesthetic and I was told to count down from 10 with the mask on my face. Nothing like a few grasped seconds to focus the mind on is this it and what if I don’t wake up?

Jesus here on the cross promises the hope of the afterlife ‘or paradise’ to the person traditionally called the good thief.

In fact there are a few places in the gospel where Jesus holds out that promise.

Just before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, he says to Martha, the dead man’s sister- ‘those who believe in me, even through they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’ and then later in Join’s gospel as he is about to leave his disciples he says ‘in my Father’s house there are many dwelling places….I go to prepare a place for you.’

When I’m taking funerals I will often use that first sentence to give hope and reassurance to families and often encourage them to use that gospel passage for the funeral reading. Whilst most people might not get all the theological nuance of resurrection, soteriology etc they ‘get’ that Jesus promises to make a place for them. Jesus takes us to his home and makes a way and a home for us- which paraphrased is what that passage says.

And here on the cross that’s important- Jesus yet again holds out that promise. He’s telling the truth- there is that place- for you- for all of you- for anyone who believes. Despite his own suffering in these moments, Jesus hears this man and responds. And today that response is for all of us.

This man, this criminal is self aware- he’s done the crime- he knows he deserves the punishment- but Jesus? No, he’s innocent. And of all the characters in the New Testament, he is the one who proclaims that. The sinner proclaims the saviour!

He’s not mocking- he’s asking and Jesus’ response is yes.

Yes to the sinner, yes to the criminal, yes to whoever is willing to just believe for a moment, even perhaps in those darkest of crisis moments.

He’s done no good works, he’s not been baptised, confirmed, done the bible study, but he did the one thing needed, he asked Jesus and he’s been given the personal guarantee.

Have you asked and have you heard in your heart that ‘yes’?

And he asks Jesus by name, not rabbi or teacher or Lord, but by name.

Jesus means The Lord Saves. Maybe in those moments of horror that name suddenly took on new meaning for him- not just a name- but a prophetic name- this man’s name means exactly who he is- Jesus- who saves. I’ll ask.

And in those seconds before I went to sleep- that’s what I did. I didn’t have long- I didn’t need long. I asked. No fancy prayers or liturgy- just ‘Jesus, remember me’.

For all of us this Lent, perhaps our heart’s cry and prayer simply needs to be

Jesus remember me

And Jesus’ word to us as to the thief- “truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”.

With me In paradise.

With me In paradise

With me.

Hope for us all

Individual reflection, Inner Conversation

How has God’s word moved me? Has it left me cold?

Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way?

I imagine Jesus standing or sitting beside me.

I turn and share my feelings with him. Conclusion

We thank God for these moments spent together and for any insights we have been given.

We say the Lord’s Prayer

Dismissal