When Jesus was dying on the Cross, two thieves were crucified beside him. The first thief turned to Jesus and said, "Come on, miracle worker from Nazareth, save us, and then we will believe in you." Then the second criminal looked at the first and said, "You fool! We are bleeding and dying here because we deserve it! But this Jesus is the innocent, holy, and pure Son of God!" Then that second criminal looked at Jesus' face and said, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus could have said, "Wait a little while, come down from the Cross, do good works for a few years, help the needy, and if you do a good enough job, maybe you'll get in." But Jesus didn't say that. Instead, he said, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." That is grace, undeserved generosity, that is forgiveness.
