大齋期靈修 – 胡玉藩牧師
第二言：「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裡了。」（路廿三 43）
相對於第一句話，耶穌為罪人代求，耶穌第二句說話，是一個應許，一個對罪人的應許：「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裡了。」
耶穌以這個應許，回應一個罪人的懇求：「主啊，當你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我。」耶穌竟然將祂的被釘、死亡，視為祂的「得國降臨」的前奏。因此，祂可以肯定的向那罪犯說，不是明天、不是將來、亦不是未知的某一日：「今日，你要同我在樂園裡。」
從始祖犯罪一刻，上帝為人所預備的樂園經已失去（Paradise Lost）；因著基督的被釘、代贖，我們這班罪人得以重獲這本已失去的樂園（Paradise Regain）。
弟兄姊妹，今日我們視甚麼為「樂園」？那些需付昂貴套票進場的主題公園？我們自己辛苦經營的家庭家園？我們拼盡所有換來的事業成就？
「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裡了。」這不是耶穌對垂死罪人一個空洞、虛假的「安慰」，乃是上帝愛子「得國降臨」的應許、保證。
禱告：主啊，求你幫助我們辨認清楚，甚麼是有主同在真正的樂園。阿們。
Lenten Devotion – The Rev. Angus Wu
Second Word: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
If Jesus’ First Word is an intercession for sinners, His Second Word is a promise, a promise to sinners: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus used this promise to respond to a sinner’s plea: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus views His crucifixion and His death as a prelude to “come into your kingdom”. Therefore He was certain to tell the criminal not tomorrow, not the future, or not an
uncertain day in the remote future, but: “today you will be with me in paradise.”
From the moment our first ancestors sinned, the paradise that God has prepared for humankind was lost (Paradise Lost). Because of Jesus’ crucifixion, redemption, we the sinners can regain the paradise lost (Paradise Regain).
Brothers and sisters, what do we view as "paradise" today? Is it those theme parks that you have to pay a lofty entrance fees to enter? Is it our hard earned family home? Is it the career success that we painfully sought?
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This is not an empty, fake "comfort" to a dying sinner. This is God’s beloved Son’s promise and guarantee when He "comes into His kingdom."
Prayer: O Lord, help us to discern what is truly paradise in the presence of God. Amen.