Joseph Parker said that the thief on the cross proved to be one of the greatest men who ever lived. On the cross there was no outward indication of His Lordship; there was no insignia of royalty. Jesus was a captive, condemned, insulted, and crucified; yet the dying thief saw Him as a King and as a Redeemer. His words were, “Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
There were no royal robes on Christ, no throne. He was hanging upon a shameful cross, yet the dying thief had faith to recognize Him as the King. This guilty sinner saw in Christ the One with power to save His soul.
Salvation is worth working for. It is worth a man’s going round the world on his hands and knees, climbing its mountains, crossing its valleys, swimming its rivers, going through all manner of hardship in order to attain it. But we do not get it in that way. As the thief understood, it is to him who believes.