For long hours of agony, reviling and mockery have fallen upon the ears of Jesus. As He hangs upon the cross, there floats up to Him still the sound of jeers and curses. With longing heart He has listened for some expression of faith from His disciples. He has heard only the mournful words, "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel." How grateful then to the Saviour was the utterance of faith and love from the dying thief! While the leading Jews deny Him, and even the disciples doubt His divinity, the poor thief, upon the 751 brink of eternity, calls Jesus Lord. Many were ready to call Him Lord when He wrought miracles, and after He had risen from the grave; but none acknowledged Him as He hung dying upon the cross save the penitent thief who was saved at the eleventh hour.

I de lange, kvalfulde timer har kun spot og hån lydt for Jesu øren. Endnu medens han hænger på korset, trænger lyden af forhånelser og forbandelser op til ham. Med længselsfuldt sind har han lyttet efter et eller andet udtryk for tro fra sine disciple. Han har kun hørt de sorgfulde ord: "Vi havde håbet, at han var den, der skulle forløse Israel." Hvor var ikke Frelseren taknemmelig for dette udtryk for tro og kærlighed fra den døende røver! Medens jødernes ledere forkaster ham og selv disciplene tvivler om hans guddommelighed, kalder denne stakkels røver, som er lige ved evighedensgrænse, Jesus Herre. Der var mange, der var rede til at kalde ham Herre, dengang han gjorde undere, og efter at han var opstået af graven; men ingen anerkendte ham, da han hang døende på korset, undtagen den angrende røver, der blev frelst i den elevte time.