"the other criminal"

I really like to write in the perspective of someone else. Especially Bible "characters." It just makes me understand them better & acknowledget that they're not really "characters." They lived & breathed & walked this earth just like I am. That being said, here goes.

Luke 23:40-43

Something strange is happening to me. At this very moment, I'm hanging on a cross, getting what I deserve. Yet now, in my darkest hour, all I can think about is the Man hanging beside me. I know I've sinned, & I'll even admit that I deserve this punishment, but this Man does not. I've heard about Him for awhile now. He travels from ton to town preaching & healing. It's obvious that He is out to please God & not bring Himself fame. I just assumed He was another of these "prophets," or so they claim to be. Now, I know He is different. From this viewpoint, I can really see Him. I can look into His eyes. It's clear that He is n agonizing pain, but He doesn't argue, or try to elicit sympathy from those watching from below. Each time He shift His body in order to take another breath, I can see His flesh tearing from the nail, yet each breath seems to say "it's worth it."

I've always assumed that there was a God, but I've never really bought into that whole salvation theory. Then it suddenly hits me. All that I've heard is actually true. I'm seeing it happen. This Man - He's bleeding for me. He's dying to save this miserable life that I've lived. I can't believe how I've failed.

If it's all true - all the things that they say about Him - all I have to do is believe. Believe. Why couldn't I have just done that before? The salt from the tears running down my cheeks stings as it enters my wounds. I hear God speaking to me. It's not the loud, booming voice from Heaven like I would have imagined. Instead, it's a small voice, like a whisper that I hear with my soul rather than my ears. My heart races just thinking of how I've let Him down. The voice then whispers, "it's okay, you're Mine now. This is for you, too, beloved. Just believe."

As I'm pondering this, I hear the criminal on His other side hurling insults at Him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself & us!" How dare he! Before I know it, I'm responding to the criminal: "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." This may be the one time in my life that I stand up for Jesus...I'm not going to let Him down again. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." I can't believe I'm saying this. Whom am I to deserve this love? Despite my lifetime of neglect, Jesus replies, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Paradise? Me? I've lived a life of sin & denial, but this Man's blood is washing me clean. I'm hanging on a splintering cross, nails digging into my body, yet somehow all of this seems to fade away. I'm with Jesus. Jesus! I've betrayed Him all my life, but now, God has spoken to me & I believe. His blood is paying my ransom.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus...sweetest Name I know...