“There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:38-43)

Yesterday, we started our adult Sunday school with prayer as we usually do. Except this particular prayer just stuck with me through the rest of the day. Being Palm Sunday, and with Easter a week away, the prayer had a focus on celebrating the risen Lord. But then the prayer took a powerful turn, reminding all Christians that this is also the time when new comers, including the unchurched, seek out services for Easter Sunday. It was a prayer for all of us – within the church – to be ready and available to share the gospel message in whatever way we could. Maybe this just means to be a smiling face to someone you haven’t seen before. But more so, for us to be willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and help someone searching to find a home in Christ Jesus. We prayed for all believers to be prepared for the questions and conversations regarding Jesus as the source of truth, joy and the answer to eternal life. It was a prayer reminding us of today’s scripture verse that all are welcome to the table. Jesus, Himself, confirmed that a convicted criminal hanging on a cross would “be with me today in paradise.”

So as Easter approaches, and the world makes it about Easter baskets and bunnies, we need to be ready to bring the focus back to the Risen Lord Jesus. Ready to expand His kingdom and bring the sheep back to the Shepard.