Welcome to Article 4 of the first book in the Hidden Heroes series.
Article 1 is a preview. Additional articles are available as they are published to PLM+ members. CLICK HERE for more information.
In This Article:
Chapter 10: The Penitent Thief
Chapter 11: The Centurion at the Cross
Chapter 12: The Galilean Women at a Distance
Chapter 10: The Penitent Thief
A Last-Minute Prayer and a Royal Promise
1. Opening Story: When You’re Almost Out of Time
Most of us like the idea of second chances—as long as they don’t come too late.
We tell stories about people who turned their lives around: the student who finally started studying, the addict who entered recovery, the couple who healed their marriage. We cheer those stories, but they all share something in common: they had time. There were still years, or at least months, to live differently.
But what about the person who waits until the very end?
What about the one who wastes opportunity after opportunity, makes a long string of bad choices, and only at the edge of the cliff says, “I was wrong”?
Part of us wants to say, “Too late. You had your chance.”
On the hill called Golgotha, two criminals are crucified alongside Jesus—one on His right, one on His left. They are not petty thieves; Rome doesn’t waste crucifixion on minor offenders. They have done real harm. They are receiving what they themselves call “just” punishment.
One of them joins the crowd in mocking Jesus. If you’re the Christ, prove it. Save Yourself—and us. Even in agony, he is still bargaining, still cynical, still clinging to whatever scraps of control he thinks he has.
