In fact the whole incident needs to be looked at more carefully. Interesting enough to note that, the request from the criminal who was crucified on the right side of the Lord, was not answered by chance or granted by accident as some people thought it happened at the heat of the moment. It is obvious to everyone that these two bandits have been condemned to death on the cross for the crime they have committed. And what seemed to be an occasional conversation, was certainly an eye opening incident for the one on the right side of the Lord, As the one hanging on the left cross had started this memorable event, by which he:

• Shared with the mob the hostile attitude and hurled insults at the Saviour.
• Participated with them and put the challenge to the Lord – to come down and save himself, and them.
• Opened his mouth almost unashamed, as he was the real criminal who was punished for his crimes.
• Threw away his chance of repentance and salvation.

However, at the same time, as we closely see the two responses, where one of them represented the negative attitude. And the other who was crucified on the right side had immediately indicated to the Lord and to the whole world today his positive response. In fact, what took a lengthy, noisy trial for Pilate in his court to declare three times the Lord is not guilty and found nothing wrong in him, and made his wife restless all the night to see that, and warn Pilate not to harm him…

It took one event for a bandit hanging high on the cross to establish three credibility’s to his faith, even some of the Lords disciples could never reach his height's…

• First credibility: In such a time as this, when all the Lord’s followers had abandoned him, one betrayed him, the other denied him, and the rest were afraid to come near him, nearly all, except a few. Among them was his beloved disciple St. John…. We found this bandit on the right cross, setting himself as a defender for the Lord… It is quite remarkable to see one in suffering and agony in such a case like this, to posses the endurance and the stamina to take a firm stand, to set aside his own predicament and open his mouth to defend the Lord, and to rebuke the real criminal and offender. To us today it was not just a rebuke to this criminal, but it was deeper than that! It is a call for all of us to shut down Satan’s mouth immediately, because if we delay it would be too late, just as bad as the bandit on the left. For Satan’s mouth today is the heresies and attacks on the divine nature of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is a pity to learn that from a thief!

• Second credibility: His ability to admit his guilt to the Lord. This stand is taking his role into a more active and positive response in such a climate where the Lord is dying on the cross. But the bandit was determined to say it clearly in the presence of the Lord, "I deserve this punishment, because I am the offender, and the real guilty one". He was determined to get it out even if it was at the last gasps of his dying breath… it is also a call for us today not to delay our admission of guilt and confess immediately before it is too late…

• Third credibility: This positive response was not taken from emptiness or a faithless heart. To see such person, a condemned criminal who had made a practical approach to the Lord on the cross, without a solid reason and background, to prove that such response was in real faith and honesty for He:

(A) Admit the divine nature of the Lord on the cross as he requested from the Lord to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

(B) There is a clear indication that this bandit has had so many encounters with the Lord, during his life and activities among the people.

(C) Not only saw him working, but also heard him preaching the good news. It is a confidence and courage, proceeded by faith and sincere belief to see such a person in a position like this (hanging on the cross), had moved him to ask the divine request to the true divine person on the cross.

This request can only prove how much faith this man had! And indeed, what kind of spiritual quality his soul was in! "Let us learn from this bandit, who toiled and worked for his personal salvation"…