I’m so thankful that the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has never changed. Its transforming power is unabated after two thousand years. Then again, the way followers of Jesus Christ live out and experience that life-giving power varies from place to place, and from person to person. We see this in Jesus’ own ministry.

On the cross, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world.  We must remember, though, that He died for your sins and mine in particular.  Each single individual is someone Jesus knew from before the foundation of the earth. Each person is someone Jesus not only knew, but also walked alongside, and invited into relationship with Him.

Who were these individuals? For one, a thief. Dying on a cross next to Jesus, the thief recognized who Jesus was and is. He recognized his own guilt and shame and powerlessness. And, finally, he cried out to Jesus, trusted in Him, and entered paradise with Jesus that very day.

True, that thief didn’t know much, but he embraced the essence of the Gospel. He surrendered to Jesus Christ, and received eternal life—just as Jesus knew he would do—in the nick of time. Nothing is more thrilling than that!

This is Luis Palau.