Kingdom Clarity

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23.39-43]

In a moment of eternally spiritual clarity, one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus, recognized the Messiah in His purest capacity. The criminal fully understood that Jesus' Kingdom was not about this world and life as we know it.

This revelation not only paralleled, but in my opinion, exceeded Peter's revelation when he declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

What brought about this perfect clarity? Extreme suffering. But not to all... the other criminal suffered in darkness having never recognized Jesus in His Kingdom role. Like it or not, suffering revealed the true believer.

For one the clarity this suffering brought about was Kingdom clarity.

What will it take for us to finally have clarity about the Kingdom that Jesus so repeatedly referred to?

Father, it would easy here to 'say' I want Kingdom clarity. I fear the lack of commitment revealed by the following word, "but..." however reveals perhaps I am not ready for such clarity...