Moment of Grace

"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:43 NKJV) This is an important moment for multiple reasons. Two thieves have already been hung on the outside crosses, and Jesus is hung on the middle one. At this point Jesus prays for those who are to crucify Him. This stirs something within one criminal. He realizes Jesus is indeed who He says He is, and is there unfairly. The thief confesses his unworthiness to Jesus and asks to be remembered. Christ, in return despite his own agony and struggle, showed pity and grace to this man. This is what Christ's whole life and purpose was, and is, about. The forgiveness of sin. Make no mistake that, since we have no idea how long our stay on earth is, time is important in asking forgiveness and being freed from our sins. However, as in this case, we should never lose hope in others AND ourselves. Christ gave Himself so that ALL may come to Him, and at any time. In this we can have assurance and be freed. Love, Beau