Luke 23:26-56

“Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (v43).  Even as He was being crucified, Jesus was full of compassion toward sinners.  As they did their worst, totally misunderstanding His identity and power, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (v34).  Instead of calling down judgment, Jesus was looking for people to include in His kingdom even in His last moments. 

The thief next to Jesus probably didn’t really understand the cross and its implications.  But he reached out to Jesus in faith and hope, and was lovingly led into Paradise.