Holy Week #7 of 8 Saturday: You Will Be With Me In Paradise, March 30
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment” (Luke 23:55-56 NIV).
What happened the day after the crucifixion? Luke tells us that some of the women who had followed Jesus rested. The other disciples likely did the same. Being the Jewish Sabbath, and after the horror of Jesus’ death, they needed to rest.
According to Matthew’s Gospel, some of the chief priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. Jesus had said He would rise on the third day. These religious leaders feared the disciples would steal His dead body and fake His resurrection. Pilate stationed guards at the tomb and ordered it sealed (see Matthew 27:62-66).
What about Jesus? Friday as He hung on the cross dying, a thief crucified beside Him pleaded, “Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43 NIV).
On Saturday, Jesus’ spirit may still have been in paradise, but His dead body lay in the tomb. His family, friends, and followers had watched Him die. They had heard Him cry out to His Father with His final words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” and watched Him breathe His last (Luke 23:46 NIV).
Tomorrow, Sunday, Jesus will rise from the dead, conquering sin and death. He will appear to many. They will see Him, touch His resurrected body, and be with Him before He ascends to heaven. Life will have the last word!
When we experience cancer, as a patient, survivor, a loved one, or caregiver, death is a clear and present danger and far too often a reality. Approaching death, being afraid, letting go, grieving loss, and hoping for heaven ... it’s never easy and can be incredibly hard and painful. Some die well; sadly, others do not.
Knowing Jesus experienced death—previously the death of a loved one and now His own death—can comfort us. He died, and in the cruelest and most painful way imaginable—for us. Jesus, fully God and fully human, knows what it means and feels like to face death and to die. As His death drew near, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42 NIV).
Jesus not only knows what it is like to die; He is with us in our dying. As a pastor, I have been with all kinds of people, in all sorts of circumstances, as they faced death. Every time, we experienced Jesus’ presence. He walks with us “through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4 NKJV). He shepherds us to paradise, to the place He has prepared for us in heaven. “I will not leave you as orphans,” He promises. “I will come to you. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:18,19b NIV).
We need not fear death. When cancer feels like our cross, we can be assured Jesus is beside us. He is near to the sick and dying, giving them preferential treatment. After your last breath here on Earth will come your first breath in paradise.
Pray: Lord, thank You for dying for me so I can be forgiven and live forever. I am so grateful that You, my Lord, know what death is really like and will be with me. Help me to trust You. Amen.
Your Turn: Read Luke 19:28-Luke 23:56. Today and tonight spend time praying, maybe even fasting, and contemplating the crucified Christ. Light a candle to symbolize our hope in Jesus, His presence in the darkness, and His anticipated resurrection. Lastly, listen to “Remember Me” by Andrew Peterson.
Michael David Gira Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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