The Thief Who Got It Right
We're obsessed with self-improvement, aren't we? Grinding harder. Building better habits. Optimizing our lives down to the minute.
But what happens when it all falls apart? When you're literally nailed to your failures with nowhere to go?
Two thieves found themselves in exactly this position – crucified alongside Jesus. Their responses couldn't be more different, and frankly, they expose our modern spirituality for the shallow performance it often is.
The first thief does what most of us do – demands Jesus prove himself useful: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" He wanted Jesus to be his cosmic vending machine. Sound familiar? We treat faith like a transaction – I'll believe if you fix my problems.
The second thief? He's the contrarian who gets it right. No resume padding. No religious posturing. Just brutal honesty: "We deserve this. He doesn't." Then comes the request that changed everything: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
No desperate plea for immediate rescue. No bargaining. Just simple trust in who Jesus is rather than what Jesus could do for him.
The response? "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Not after he cleaned up his act. Not after paying penance. Today.
The path to paradise isn't paved with religious performance. It's built on the humility to admit we can't save ourselves and the courage to place our trust in someone who can.
You can spend your life climbing the ladder of spiritual achievement, or you can simply turn and say, "Remember me." One is exhausting. The other is freedom.
Which thief are you?