He had just risen. He needed to take His blood and present it to the Father at the Mercy Seat. Later that day he was back and walked with Mr. & Mrs. Cleopas walking to Emmaus. Then a bit later, appeared to the 11. Thomas not present. A week later Tom IS present, and is INVITED by Christ to “Touch me. Put your finger in the nail holes; put your hand into my wounded side.” Thomas fell down and worshipped Christ, saying, “My Lord and my God.”
Yes, but if He told the thief “today” but hadn’t gone to the Father until two/three days later (and, assuming from that, heaven), then where is this paradise the thief was going to be with Him at? It appears somewhere different from where the Father is.