A lesson on the complete sufficiency of Christ's atonement on the cross to save sinners who put their faith in Him alone. As we approach the zenith of Christ's mission on Earth, He bore His cross and went up to Golgotha (otherwise known as Calvary) determined to lay down His life for His sheep. But before His mission would be completed, even as He hung there, yet another miracle would be performed. Between Him were two thieves, who (like the crowds) joined in scoffing at Him. It is remarkable, the world's unity in its hatred towards the one true God. Nevertheless, we read in this marvelous account of how one of the two thieves, in an instant, is granted a heart to believe, and is saved!

There is perhaps no portion of Scripture that illustrates more clearly the reality that salvation is *entirely* by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ alone. This thief had received the miraculous gift of faith; by a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit plied to him, his stony heart was softened, he repented of his pride, arrogance, and boastful self-sufficiency, and believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and is entirely worthy of his trust. And though he had no way of performing any rite, ritual, or good work, nor did he have any great measure of theological knowledge, one thing he did know and believe in his heart (in accordance with his new nature) was that Jesus is his redeemer. And because he believed and understood the reality of Christ's vicarious work on his behalf, he could boldly ask to be together with his Lord in His Kingdom. And Jesus, hanging there bloodied on the cross bearing the weight of this man's sin (along with those of all believers for all time) gently assured him he would indeed be joined together with Him in Paradise that day.

The other thief meanwhile persisted in his wicked scoffing, taunting, and unbelief at the Lord Jesus, signifying the reality that Christ's atonement is not for all people, but only for those who trust in Him. It illustrates the great reality that there are only two reactions to Christ: sinful, prideful, unrepentant disbelief leading unto death (the way of the natural man.) And humble, joyful trust, resting in the completed work of the Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, resulting in eternal life (to the man indwelt by the Holy Spirit.) Jesus could assure the thief on the cross he would be together with Himself because by his faith he was manifestly one of Christ's sheep. The time of his entering into the fold of the Great Shepherd was graciously given to him in the most precarious hour of his life - the moments preceding his physical death. But God is by no means obligated to be so merciful to any of us. None of us know the time when our soul will be required of us, yet the way to eternal life is so basic, even a dying man can attain it: believe!

The offer of salvation through Christ is extended today. The good and proper response is to trust in Jesus and receive the complete redemption and forgiveness of sins through His substitutionary death on the cross. Will you be yet unbelieving like the foolish, wicked thief who would not believe, and so face God's eternal condemnation for your sin? Or will you humbly join the faithful thief on the cross, trusting in the Savior, and receive the free gift of grace in the forgiveness of sins by and through Him? You may well miss eternal life by a few feet; the distance between a faithful Savior, and an unbelieving heart. Conversely you could be a million miles away, but walking nevertheless along the road leading to eternal life; and Jesus welcomes you, not because of proximity, but because the road belongs to Him.