One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:39-43
They feared death,
and suffered pain,
– the worst on earth;
but see the gain
when one awakes
to see at last
that Christ is good,
and his own past
acknowledged bad –
deserving judgement
worse than this present
crucifixion;
but Christ is King,
– he turned to Him
to ask for grace
in humble prayer,
and heard he’d share
a glorious kingdom,
for all forgiven!
