The robbers who were cruciied with him also reviled him in the same way.

Matthew 27:44

One thief continued to hurl insults at Jesus, but a change came over the other. The Bible calls this change repentance. Every change has a beginning, and the story of the thief shows us where repentance begins.

The thief had been hurling abuse at Jesus, but then a stillness came over his soul as he thought about what lay ahead: Why am I fighting against God? What sense does this make when soon I will stand before Him and give account for my life? Turning to the other thief who continued to hurl abuse at Jesus, he said,

“Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” (Luke 23:40).

The thief had some knowledge of God, but he had not given weight to God in his life. If he had, he would not have become a thief. Instead, he pushed away God’s claims on his life and went his own way. And the further he moved away from God, the less his conscience bothered him.

But now he was on the brink of eternity, and the fear of standing before God gripped him. This fear is the beginning of turning to God and it leads to recognizing Jesus Christ as your king.

Turning toward Jesus, the thief said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” (23:42). The thief recognized that Jesus is a king: If he is a king and he is going into death, maybe when he gets to the other side, he can do something to help me.

To the person who recognizes that He is a king, Jesus says, “You will be with me in paradise” (23:43). How can you be sure of heaven? Turn. Fear God and submit yourself to Jesus as your king.

Has repentance begun for you?