Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.   -Mark 15:32

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   -Luke 23:39-43

This scripture is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence that salvation comes by faith through grace and not by works so that no one can boast. It clearly shows how it was only the thieves’ belief in Jesus that saved him.

According to Mark, up until that moment, the thief was mocking Jesus just like the other thief but then something happened and his heart was changed. He had no time to perform any works. He lived a criminal’s life but because he placed his faith in a gracious Savior, he would be in paradise with Jesus that very day!

What a powerful example of the wonderful power of the gospel! As long as someone is still drawing breath- it is never too late to turn to Jesus. There is still hope because God’s arm is still strong enough to save even in the last moments of life.

May this truth comfort our hearts and fuel our efforts in prayer for those who we love who don’t yet know Jesus. We aren’t told if the criminal’s family were believers but if they were, can you imagine their joyful surprise and delight the day they saw him in heaven?

What if one day in heaven, we will meet people we prayed for to come to a saving knowledge of Christ?  What joy will fill our heart if we see someone in heaven that we shared the gospel with! In His sovereignty, God promises to use our prayers and efforts to bring others to Himself for His glory!

So, don’t give up hope. We don’t know who the Lord will save by His grace but we do know our prayers and sharing of the gospel can and do make an eternal difference!

“Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to scripture alone, for the glory of God alone”