Let your mind travel back two thousand years. There is a great public festival in Jerusalem. The city is crowded with pilgrims from all over the known world.
In the midst of all the excitement a different event is taking place, an event whose far-reaching effect will be felt throughout the entire universe. Accompanied by the taunts and jeers of the populace, the Son of God is being led through the streets of the city to be crucified.
Outside the city walls three crosses have been erected, and on the central one they place the Son of God, a thief on either side. Beneath that cross are gathered the representatives of every class - priests, scribes and elders from the religious world, Roman soldiers and the degraded mob unite in mocking and deriding the Son of God. The two thieves also join the mocking crowd and taunt the Sufferer on the center cross.
Suddenly one of the thieves checks the other, saying, “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom” (Luke 23:4042).
What a wonderful change! In the One hanging beside him the thief discerns a glorious King. In vision he sees Him no longer crucified, spat upon and mocked, but coming in all the power and majesty of His kingdom. He asks only to be remembered then.
The Lord answers, “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise”!
The thief was taken straight from the cross into the paradise of God, the first witness to the triumph of grace after redemption was accomplished.
In the presence of this witness to the triumph of grace, are you one of its subjects? Do you know of the “grace of God that bringeth salvation . . . to all men”? Then when Christ comes in His kingdom and glory He will bring you to share it all with Him. Grace begun will end in glory.