There’s a saint and a sinner on Mount Calvary. What separates them is Jesus. In Luke 23:35-43, we find Jesus hanging between two criminals—one a scoffer and one a brand-new believer. Having mocked Jesus earlier during the crucifixion (Mark 15:32), this “repentant thief” has a change of heart at some point, asking Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus responds with memorable words of grace and assurance: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

With death approaching, the repentant thief begins to fear God and take responsibility for his own wrongdoing. Perhaps his heart was softened by the prayer of forgiveness that Jesus had prayed earlier (Luke 23:34). Showing both courage and confidence, he takes a public stand for Jesus, expressing his belief that Jesus would have a life beyond the cross. As a result, the man learns he would be spending eternity with Jesus in heaven. Nowhere in Scripture is it clearer that salvation is by grace through faith.

Throughout this series, we’re looking for both the “good news” and the “good life” in each of these sayings from the cross. That is, each statement has in it divine grace for us to receive (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and a divine example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21). Practical applications, then, abound from this second saying of Christ from the cross:

• Jesus dies in the company of unbelievers, attracting them to God. 
• Believers should live in the company of unbelievers, attracting them to God.

• Jesus dies refusing to retaliate for the insults and injuries inflicted on him.
• Believers should live refusing to retaliate for the insults and injuries inflicted on him.

• Jesus dies submitting to God’s agenda rather than to the world’s agenda.
• Believers should live submitting to God’s agenda rather than to the world’s agenda.

• Jesus dies speaking words of hope and encouragement to the hurting.
• Believers should live speaking words of hope and encouragement to the hurting.

• Jesus dies helping someone in a similar predicament as himself. 
• Believers should live helping someone in a similar predicament as themselves.

• Jesus dies serving someone who is totally unable to return the favor. 
• Believers should live serving someone who is totally unable to return the favor.

• Jesus dies joining God where he is at work, sharing the good news. 
• Believers should live joining God where he is at work, sharing the good news.

In short, the message of this second saying from the cross is twofold: Humble yourself to receive the gift of Jesus, and pattern your life after the death of Jesus. It’s still true today—what separates saints and sinners is Jesus. Thankfully, God in Christ can respond to the faintest cry in the last moments of a person’s life (cf. Rom 10:13). Including ours.