Christopher Hitchens was a famous atheist who enthusiastically debated believers in Christ. When he was dying of cancer, he announced that anyone who heard that he’d converted to Jesus on his deathbed should take that as proof that he’d lost his mind. After Christopher died, a debate opponent and friend noted that Hitchens had preemptively warned his followers because he knew that in the face of death he might despair and turn to Christ. And who knows? He might have. A person can fight God his entire life and still be mercifully saved with seconds to spare. It’s happened before.

The thief on the cross had led a wicked life. He told his fellow criminal, “We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man [Jesus] hasn’t done anything wrong” (LUKE 23:41). Now he was down to his final, excruciating hours, in which his physical agony threatened to distract from his greater spiritual need.

And he was wasting precious minutes. He initially joined the others who were mocking and yelling insults at Jesus (MARK 15:32). But as he hung on the cross, yearning for death, he turned and looked at his last chance. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” (LUKE 23:42).

God delights in saving people, including those who’ve run out of time. Instead of focusing on what we’ve done wrong, let’s look to Jesus.