Today

I like to think about the two thieves on the cross. Especially the one who realizes that he's getting what he deserves. In my mind, I wonder what the exchange was like. The emotions he felt, the thoughts running through his head. What was that like?
He says "We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom! ”
What's that like? Can your thoughts and emotions go there for a second? Imagine, here you are. You're on a cross. You're realizing you’re getting what you deserve. You admit you have done wrong. But Jesus? What has he done? Is the criminal realizing what Jesus is doing? Imagine that day. You know you're going to be crucified that day. You're being led to your death. This is it, you have moments before you die. God literally shows up in visible form. The criminal can't hide. He's hanging on a cross. He can't fool Jesus in saying I'm not that bad of person. We aren't on a cross. Do we do that? Do we try to fool God? Here he is, fully exposed. He can not hide anywhere. He can not go anywhere. He is forced to face the fact that he is a sinner and that he has made choices that have justly led him to the cross. So he has a decision. Jesus knows.... He knows man. He already knows. It's in plain sight. What are we going to do? What does he do? He says "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!" The humility he must of experienced in that moment. The peace of admitting where you are.
Look at what Jesus says " Truly Truly, I say unto you today. That you will be with me in paradise." I'm convinced that when we come to God with arms wide open. When we come to God as we are and not as we think we should be. He meets us with grace, love, and compassion