Luke 23:39-43 [39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. [40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. [42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
These three are all hanging on the cross, dying. Yet they each have a different reaction portrayed here.
Malefactor 1--if you are really God save us and yourself
Malefactor 2--don't you even fear God? We deserve this... But He has done nothing to deserve this.
Jesus--Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Malefactor 1--bitter and angry at the world
Malefactor 2--sees his own sinfulness and also sees Christ's sinlessness
Jesus--accepts Malefactor 2 with the promise of Paradise
Which one do you want to be....?
The angry one or the accepted one?