And so the sinner turned from his confederate to his Saviour and his King.  “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens”, Jesus had once said to the crowds (was this robber among them to hear his words?), “and I will give you rest” (NRSV, Matthew 11:28).  And Jesus had also said, “...anyone who comes to me I will never drive away” (NRSV, John 6:37).

And that was what the robber found when he came to Jesus.  Unlike James and John he did not ask to sit at his right hand or his left hand in his Kingdom and in his glory (Matthew, 20:20,21; Mark 10:35-37).  Enough for the robber that he was hanging there beside Jesus in his shame.  All he wanted was that his King should remember him.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (NRSV, Luke 23:42).

Remember him?  Jesus would do more than that.  “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (NRSV, Luke 23:43).