On a cross, and only a few hours to live! Hours of terrible pain and suffering—and then only death. He had lived his life and it had been a wicked one. He knew he was no martyr. He knew he fully deserved all the pain he was getting. Then, to the wickedness that had caused him to be crucified he adds the guilt of reviling God’s Son! His wickedness could hardly go farther.
But a change takes place. The hardened criminal who has spent a lifetime in sin suddenly becomes a judge, and the first person he judges is himself! What could so quickly touch the heart of this criminal and make such a change?
Surely it was the words from the Savior’s own lips: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Can you not imagine him exclaiming to himself, “What does He say? ‘Forgive them!’ ‘Father, forgive them!’ Can He mean those who are doing their best to get rid of Him and cruelly mocking Him while they do it?
“Why, then, He must mean me! I have been one of the mockers! Is it possible that there can be grace enough in Him to ask God’s forgiveness for a wretch like me and to use His dying breath in pleading for it? But it must be so, for He cries, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ Oh, how wonderful!
“Never, never could I expect to deserve His favor, but I cannot help wanting it. Such a sinner as I am can never earn it, but I can cast myself on the mercy of such a Savior as He is.”
What a reception he got! This dying sinner condemned himself and owned Jesus as Lord. The blessed Lord proved how rich He is to all that call upon Him, for He said to the thief, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”
Is not this same blessed Person worthy of the confidence of your heart? “Through this Man [Christ Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)).