The thief didn't have a prayer to stand on. He had no power, no redeeming goodness, and no time to fix anything. Blackness was closing in. Eternal loss was waiting, just beyond the thin line that separates all men from eternity. Hanging on a cross, disjointed in his torment, the thief had nothing—but God provided the One thing needful. The man had JESUS. He had the Son of God hanging on a Roman cross right beside him—this Jesus upon whose every word hung his faltering hope. 

The thief's faith was weak, barely perceptible. This man who just minutes before joined his fellow criminal in mocking Jesus, now seemed too ashamed to ask Jesus to save his soul. He only asked, "Lord, remember me when you enter into your kingdom." Those once thieving hands were now stretched out in full surrender; whether they be blessed or whether they be damned was up to God. 

The thief began to feel the convicting power of Christ crucified, "…the just for the unjust," (1 Peter 3:18 KJV) and a flame of faith ignited. Suddenly he trusted in the power of Jesus who revealed God is gracious, God is merciful, and God is kind. For the first time, he felt the power of God's love.

But was God powerful enough to forgive his sins? The thief was about to find out. "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom," he asked. And there, beneath a blood-stained crown of thorns, Jesus spoke - "Verily I say unto thee; today shalt thou be with me in paradise," (Luke 23:43 KJV).