Waking Up

Last night I dreamed I was a thief.  I helped someone steal some building materials.  We didn’t get caught, but I felt so guilty I was miserable.  I wanted to confess, but I was afraid.  It was a nightmare.  Guilt was killing me . . . then I woke up.  I was so relieved.  The guilt was gone.  It was all a dream.  I wonder, is that how the criminal on the cross felt when he woke up to spend his first day in Paradise?

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”   Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
     –  Luke 23:39-43