The thief on the cross had been (most probably) a brutal murderer in his days as a freedom fighter (from the Jewish point of view) and a terrorist (from Rome’s point of view). He admitted he was being justly punished for his crimes, but he turned to Christ in an amazing act of faith and received that gracious promise from the lips of the dying Saviour. That is a supreme moment of gospel truth and saving action for a repentant sinner. We are commanded by Christ to follow his own example, to love and pray for our enemies, as he did, and to pray for their forgiveness and seek their salvation. – from “The God I Don’t Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith” by Christopher J. H. Wright
Richard Bahr 