All three of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, reference two criminals being crucified with Jesus. In Luke’s version, there is a conversation between Jesus and the criminals. It’s a remarkable conversation that we may often overlook. This is what Luke records:

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39–43, ESV)

The conversation answers the question many ask me about what happens after we die. Do we go to straight to Heaven if we are believers, or do we wait for a future judgement? You can find texts in the Bible that can appear to offer conflicting answers. I don’t have space to explain the differences. However, I feel confident that upon death we enter Heaven and see Jesus face-to-face. I’m not alone in this opinion. John Calvin agrees in his commentary on this passage:

In this wicked man a striking mirror of the unexpected and incredible grace of God is held out to us, not only in his being suddenly changed into a new man, when he was near death, and drawn from hell itself to heaven, but likewise in having obtained in a moment the forgiveness of all the sins in which he had been plunged through his whole life, and in having been thus admitted to heaven before the apostles and first-fruits of the new Church. (John Calvin, Commentary on the Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke.)

Another question the text answers is, “What must I do to be saved?” This criminal is a good case study. What did he do? The answer, “Not a thing.” In the Reformed understanding of salvation, it was God who gave the man the ability to see Jesus as Savior. His trust in Jesus to take him to Paradise was an external expression of what God had already done internally.

What makes this story even more interesting is how little time the man had to do anything to be saved. He went from criminal to adopted child of God without the time to memorize even one Bible passage, much less study the Bible. He didn’t have a time for prayer life so worthy that it saved him. He definitely didn’t have time for a mission trip, worship service, tithing, or to become a productive member of society. His was a very short time between salvation and death.

Here’s what I imagine would have happened if he miraculously was given more time. He would have pursued those kinds of things, at least an early Christianity version of them. It’s what people do when they understand the treasure of salvation they’ve received from Jesus. When someone gives you a valuable gift, you take care of it and honor it. But that’s not how we are saved. Salvation is simply trusting in Jesus to forgive you and take you with him to Heaven. As Calvins says, it’s the “incredible grace of God.”

Prayer:

Eternal Father, your mercy is unexpected and your love overwhelming. Help us to accept your grace and free ourselves from the human expectation that we must earn good things. Instead, replace it with the joy of receiving the greatest of all treasures and living gratefully in response. It is in the name of Christ I pray. Amen.

Rev. James Harper, Crucifixion & Death, Lent Devotion 2026