The story of the penitent thief is recorded in only one of the Gospels – that of Luke in chapter 23, if you are unfamiliar with it here it is:-

“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 are deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”” 23:39-43.

Have you ever considered that the only person to have accepted Christ as their Saviour on the day of the crucifixion was a “thief”?

The word usually translated thief suggests a political dimension to the…