As He spoke the words of promise, the dark cloud that seemed to enshroud the cross was pierced by a bright and living light. To the penitent thief came the perfect peace of acceptance with God. Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared to be conquered was a Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. Men may exercise power over His human body. They may pierce the holy temples with the crown of thorns. They may strip from Him His raiment, and quarrel over its division. But they cannot rob Him of His power to forgive sins. In dying He bears testimony to His own divinity and to the glory of the Father. His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, neither His arm shortened that it cannot save. It is His royal right to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.

Da Kristus talte de forjættende ord, var det, som om den mørke sky, der syntes at indhylle korset, blev gennemtrængt af et klart og levende lys. Den angrende røver modtog den fuldkomne fred, som er en følge af at være antaget af Gud. Kristus blev herliggjort midt i sin ydmygelse. Han, som i alle andres øjne syntes at være besejret, var selv sejrherre. Han var blevet erkendt som den, der bærer synden. Mennesker kan udøve deres magt over hans menneskelige legeme. De kan gennembore hans hellige tindinger med tornekronen. De kan berøve ham hans klæder og strides om fordelingen af dem. Men de kan ikke berøve ham magten til at forlade synder. Medens han er ved at dø, giver han vidnesbyrd om sin egen guddommelighed og om sin Faders herlighed. Hans øre er ikke for sløvt til at høre, og hans arm er ikke for kort til at frelse. Det er hans kongelige ret at frelse til det yderste alle dem, der kommer til Gud ved ham.