"God's Eternal Garden"
This is based on a study that I am doing during the Season of Lent on the "Seven Last Sayings of Christ on the Cross." This is derived from our Lord's Second Saying on the Cross; "Today, you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
As I pointed out earlier, the number seven was considered sacred among the ancient Hebrew people, and even to the Judea-Christians. It was considered a divine number - drawn from the inspiration and revelation of God. Thus, when considering the Seven Last Sayings of Christ on the Cross one could say that they sum up Christ "complete" or "whole" ministry. As you will see, these sayings definitely outline the gospel message. Through the sayings on the cross we learn the lessons of forgiveness, acceptance, honesty, love, care, service and trust.
The second lesson from our Lord on the cross deals with acceptance. Jesus said to the repentant thief, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Instantly, when we think of a paradise, we automatically think of a place of utter rest, beauty and peace. For my wife and I that place which we consider "paradise" is the Mayan Rivera, in Mexico. That is where we spent our honeymoon and, we even loved it so much that we decided to go back on our fifth anniversary.
The word "paradise" is derived from the Persian word pairidaeza. In the Greek the word is paradeisos. The word literally means, "an enclosed park" or "garden." I find it interesting that this same Greek word (paradeisos) is used for the "garden of Eden" in the Septuagint - the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. However, in the New Testament this word carries a deeper and more profound meaning. It signifies an "eternal garden" - one, in which our Lord went to prepare for us. You may recall in the 14th chapter of John’s gospel Jesus said to his disciples while gathered in the upper room, prior to his death, "I am going to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also" (John 14:2). This "abode" that our Lord prepared for us is a paradeisos - an eternal garden.
We find this same word (paradeisos) used only two other times in the New Testament. In II Corinthians 12:4, where we read of Paul being caught up to "paradise" - heaven; and then in Revelation 2:7, as the promised destination of those who remain true and faithful to Christ.
When considering this word "paradise" it denotes several ideas. First of all, a place of exceptional blessedness, happiness and delight. And secondly, it was used by Jews and Judea-Christians as a descriptive name for heaven - the place where the righteous go at death and was borrowed from its reference to the "garden of Eden" in the Septuagint. Through this Greek word for "paradise" one equates it to the "garden of Eden" - the place where there was fellowship and communion with God - a place of exceptional blessedness, happiness and delight.
There is one other concept that we must not overlook when considering this word "paradise" and it is derived from the original Persian word for "paradise" (pairidaeza). The original readers would have picked right up on the implication. In ancient times when a Persian king wanted to bestow honor upon someone he deemed as "special," he would make that person a "companion of his garden" (pairidaeza). The king would literally walk in the garden with this "special" person, which was said to be the highest honor a king could bestow upon a person. Thus, the spiritual implications are clear. It is Christ who bestows this same honor upon the thief on the cross, and upon all who believe in him as Lord and Savior. Jesus promised the thief that he would be a companion of the King of kings - walking with Christ in paradise - the garden of heaven.
Through this saying on the cross we learn the true essence and meaning of evangelism. Even on the cross, Jesus offers the gospel to a repentant sinner. Even with his dying breath he is willing to offer forgiveness and accept this child into his kingdom. This should say so much to us; we, who are willing to cause the distractions of life, our busy schedules and many other obligations or fears to keep us from being good evangelist. And too, this should say something to us that Jesus was willing to extent the invitation of forgiveness and acceptance to a person who was considered a criminal. We must be willing to share the gospel - the good news to everyone we meet. Our lives should be testimonies to the good news which has set us free.
I often hear the argument being made that it seems unfair that someone who has wasted or swindled their life away, is allowed forgiveness and entrance into the garden of heaven on their death bed. If we believe this, then we are missing a vital point. Yes, while the repentant thief followed Jesus into paradise at death; you and I have the opportunity to follow and serve Christ now. This shouldn’t be considered a chore or a burden, but a privilege. As we are reminded through Scripture "we should count it worthy..." Thus, let us allow this lesson from the cross to encourage us to present our lives daily as an offering and sacrifice to God - bearing the fruit of works in gratitude for his gift so freely given. May we take every advantage of the opportunity awarded us, with however long we are allotted on earth, to follow Jesus now and tell others about him in word and deed. So that when the time comes, we too might enjoy the blessings of paradise - God’s eternal garden prepared especially for his children.
The second lesson from our Lord on the cross deals with acceptance. Jesus said to the repentant thief, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Instantly, when we think of a paradise, we automatically think of a place of utter rest, beauty and peace. For my wife and I that place which we consider "paradise" is the Mayan Rivera, in Mexico. That is where we spent our honeymoon and, we even loved it so much that we decided to go back on our fifth anniversary.
The word "paradise" is derived from the Persian word pairidaeza. In the Greek the word is paradeisos. The word literally means, "an enclosed park" or "garden." I find it interesting that this same Greek word (paradeisos) is used for the "garden of Eden" in the Septuagint - the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. However, in the New Testament this word carries a deeper and more profound meaning. It signifies an "eternal garden" - one, in which our Lord went to prepare for us. You may recall in the 14th chapter of John’s gospel Jesus said to his disciples while gathered in the upper room, prior to his death, "I am going to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also" (John 14:2). This "abode" that our Lord prepared for us is a paradeisos - an eternal garden.
We find this same word (paradeisos) used only two other times in the New Testament. In II Corinthians 12:4, where we read of Paul being caught up to "paradise" - heaven; and then in Revelation 2:7, as the promised destination of those who remain true and faithful to Christ.
When considering this word "paradise" it denotes several ideas. First of all, a place of exceptional blessedness, happiness and delight. And secondly, it was used by Jews and Judea-Christians as a descriptive name for heaven - the place where the righteous go at death and was borrowed from its reference to the "garden of Eden" in the Septuagint. Through this Greek word for "paradise" one equates it to the "garden of Eden" - the place where there was fellowship and communion with God - a place of exceptional blessedness, happiness and delight.
There is one other concept that we must not overlook when considering this word "paradise" and it is derived from the original Persian word for "paradise" (pairidaeza). The original readers would have picked right up on the implication. In ancient times when a Persian king wanted to bestow honor upon someone he deemed as "special," he would make that person a "companion of his garden" (pairidaeza). The king would literally walk in the garden with this "special" person, which was said to be the highest honor a king could bestow upon a person. Thus, the spiritual implications are clear. It is Christ who bestows this same honor upon the thief on the cross, and upon all who believe in him as Lord and Savior. Jesus promised the thief that he would be a companion of the King of kings - walking with Christ in paradise - the garden of heaven.
Through this saying on the cross we learn the true essence and meaning of evangelism. Even on the cross, Jesus offers the gospel to a repentant sinner. Even with his dying breath he is willing to offer forgiveness and accept this child into his kingdom. This should say so much to us; we, who are willing to cause the distractions of life, our busy schedules and many other obligations or fears to keep us from being good evangelist. And too, this should say something to us that Jesus was willing to extent the invitation of forgiveness and acceptance to a person who was considered a criminal. We must be willing to share the gospel - the good news to everyone we meet. Our lives should be testimonies to the good news which has set us free.
I often hear the argument being made that it seems unfair that someone who has wasted or swindled their life away, is allowed forgiveness and entrance into the garden of heaven on their death bed. If we believe this, then we are missing a vital point. Yes, while the repentant thief followed Jesus into paradise at death; you and I have the opportunity to follow and serve Christ now. This shouldn’t be considered a chore or a burden, but a privilege. As we are reminded through Scripture "we should count it worthy..." Thus, let us allow this lesson from the cross to encourage us to present our lives daily as an offering and sacrifice to God - bearing the fruit of works in gratitude for his gift so freely given. May we take every advantage of the opportunity awarded us, with however long we are allotted on earth, to follow Jesus now and tell others about him in word and deed. So that when the time comes, we too might enjoy the blessings of paradise - God’s eternal garden prepared especially for his children.
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 1:06 PM
<< Home