As Christ hung dying on the Cross, the privilege of Paradise was granted to a thief.

Immediately, a question rises in the natural mind: “But what about his sin?”

The answer was hanging beside him.

It was in the Blood dripping from the body of the Man on the center cross. That Blood was sinless—unlike his own.

Shed for him, the thief would be justified forever. Made righteous before God. Treated as though he had never sinned. Paradise would become his home, not because of what he had done, but because of who Christ was. All he had to do was believe.

Leviticus 17:11 had declared it centuries earlier to all Israel: “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Just as we partake communion, the thief partook of the Blood and body of Christ by faith.

But the life flowing through the veins of Jesus was unlike any other life ever carried in human blood. It was divine life. Validated by Resurrection itself.

When the thief cried out, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,”

he placed his faith in Christ’s divine life and coming Resurrection. Jesus responded immediately:

“Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

The thief had no other credentials for Heaven.

He was not baptized.

Not a church member.

Not a respected religious man.

He had no time left for good works.