God welcomes anyone at any time. Have you accepted His gift of salvation?

Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”  Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:32-43

God’s grace is revealed in His willingness to welcome anyone at any time into His kingdom. The repentant thief who hung on a cross next to Jesus had nothing to offer the Lord—no good works, no faithful service. He couldn’t even be baptized. In his utterly helpless condition, the only thing he could do was believe. But that was all it took.

Although both thieves began their crucifixion by hurling verbal abuse at Jesus (Matthew 27:44), as the torturous hours passed, one of them had a change of heart. His railing against the Savior turned into defense of Jesus, admission of his own guilt, and a plea for a place in Christ’s kingdom (Luke 23:40-42).

What was it that turned this mocker into a believer? Scornful onlookers accused Jesus of being exactly who He was: the King of Israel, the Savior, and the Son of God (Matthew 27:42-43). As the condemned man watched and listened, he turned in faith to the only One who could save him—the One dying for him.

On the hill that day, one man died in his sin, one Man died for sin, and the other was saved from his sin. The two men crucified with Jesus were faced with a choice, and the same is true today: We can accept or reject Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, and what we choose makes an eternal difference.