“Paradise” | Reflection by Hal Chen, Vestry Class of ‘24

The word “paradise” invokes visions of heaven that are usually filled with images of happiness and beauty. A childhood friend once said that, in heaven, you could play basketball all the time. An accomplished chef I know believes that heaven has an all-you-can-eat French bakery. And artists often depict paradise as a beautiful garden or a glistening body of water.

But “paradise” appears only once in the Gospels, and its context is far removed from this idealized view. In Luke 23:39-43, Jesus was crucified between two criminals who were suffering the same fate. One man said to Jesus: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” This insult prompted the other man to rebuke him: “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” He further asked: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

We can see ourselves in these two men being crucified at Jesus’ left and right. One man chooses to mock Jesus and tells Him to send God to save them. In contrast, the other man accepts the wrongfulness of his past misdeeds, recognizes Jesus as undeserving of this terrible fate, and asks Jesus to remember him. This prompts Jesus to answer, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the weeks and months after Easter, who will we choose to be as Christians? Will we doubt God and ask Him to serve our own earthly wishes? Or will we seek forgiveness and serve His kingdom with humility?