Have you ever thought about the one thief who, because of what he did, was also crucified with Jesus on Golgotha? The cards fell his way just in time. It’s actually a miracle that he is in heaven. 

Just imagine the angel waiting at the gates. This guy’s name isn’t on the list. The list was probably still the morning’s list, and he hadn’t received the updated list yet. 

“What are you doing here?” asked the angel, somewhat surprised. 

“No, I don’t know! I was crucified just a few hours ago. My friend and I probably got the right punishment for our deeds,” said the thief. 

“Well, indeed, what are you doing here? You can’t just walk in here,” said the angel with a lot of question marks in his voice. 

“I must confess, I’ve had a rough day. I’m a tough man and stuff doesn’t affect me just like that. But the immense pain when they drove the nails through my wrists and ankles was inhuman.” 

“While I was hanging there, they brought another man over. Many people followed him. The soldiers mocked him a lot and even nailed a sign: King of the Jews, to the top of His cross. My friend and I made fun of him too.” 

“Then something happened inside me. It was as if a light was turned on inside me. I realised that this man was the Son of God. I told my friend not to mock Jesus like that.” 

“Then Jesus turned to me and said He would see me in heaven. I’m here because of the man in the middle.” 

The angel pushed open the gates of heaven and invited the criminal in. The angel choirs started singing joyfully. Everyone was happy. Joy flowed through the streets over another child of God who had arrived. 

Although this thief made it just in time, the celebratory fires burned high for him. The fires burn high for everyone who enters the gates of heaven. 

For us, the fires will also burn high. We can look forward to this. Often, the knowledge that one day we will be welcomed with open arms gives us strength to fight through every challenge here on earth. 

11 Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

We certainly have something to look forward to. Although our time here on earth feels like a lifetime to us, it is only the tip of the iceberg of what is still to come. Where Jesus reigns, there is only joy and peace that lasts forever. Let us, therefore, continue to live with the image that when we arrive at the gates of heaven one day, the celebratory fires will be burning, and we will be received with open arms. 

Scripture
 2 Peter 1:10-11  

Reflection
Do you believe that the gates of heaven are open for you?
Do you believe that the celebratory fires are burning especially for you?
How do you live differently because of this? 

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for opening the gates of heaven for me through your death. Thank you that the celebratory fires will burn for me. Please help me to live differently now. Amen.