Justice

 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
Luke 23:41 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.23.41.ESV

Some of the other gospel accounts record both criminals crucified with Christ as cursing Him. If we take Luke's account however, one of them evidently had an epiphany. He realised they were getting their just desserts, but that Jesus is innocent.

The truth is, we all deserve a fate worse than death for our rebellion against God. We deserve hell for our iniquitous crimes against our Maker. Thankfully, Jesus went to the cross to bear God's wrath towards us.

Only Jesus is the perfectly innocent One, the only Substitute for sinners like us. If we trust in Him, we will not be condemned as we deserve. Instead we will be justified by God.

The dying criminal went on to ask the Lord to remember Him when He entered into His Kingdom. He didn't even presume to ask for salvation. He just wanted the Lord not to forget Him. Jesus's powerful reply was 'today you will be with me in paradise'.

'Lord, remember us when You enter Your Kingdom. In Your good time, may we join You in paradise, for the honour of Your name we pray, amen'

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