What is the significance of Jesus’ response to the thief “Today you will be with Me in Paradise”?

The Right Thief asked to be with the Lord Jesus in His kingdom, saying to Jesus: “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). This verse signifies the following: •⁠ ⁠The soul remains alive after the death of the body. •⁠ ⁠The reward for the righteous and the punishment for the wicked. •⁠ ⁠Our Lord on the cross proved that His blood cleanses and saves repentant sinners. Jesus Christ endured suffering and torment on the cross, yet He is the owner of the kingdom. This kingdom is one of joy and happiness, better than the world, and not just for Christ alone but for believers and repentant sinners with Him. This kingdom is in the Lord’s hand, even while He was on the cross. This verse also indicates the hope of the Right Thief in Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on the cross. As Blessed Augustine said: “Can anyone do evil who is with Christ, and can anyone do good who is far from Him?” The Right Thief had only his tongue and heart free to move, and he glorified God with them, as he believed with his heart and confessed with his tongue (St. Gregory). Initially, the Right Thief grumbled and blasphemed along with the other thief, but when he overcame his grumbling and felt he justly deserved the crucifixion for his sins, the Lord revealed His divinity to him. Then the thief cried out to be remembered when Christ came into His kingdom. St. Jerome said: “When the Right Thief was a thief, to the end, he managed to steal heaven itself. And repentance transformed the death of the cursed murderer into that of a martyr.” The Right Thief was judged unworthy to live among men because he was guilty and had to be crucified, but his faith and belief that the one on the cross was the Son of God earned him a place among the inhabitants of heaven. One thief believed and was saved, the other blasphemed and perished, as our Lord is the Judge of the living and the dead, and of the world. This verse shows that one should not judge others based on appearances. Many might have thought the Right Thief was destined for hell, but the Knower of hearts and minds declared that he deserved paradise. In His moment of greatest weakness, when those who looked at Him on the cross thought He was powerless, the Lord exercised His divine authority by accepting sinners and welcomed the repentance of a sinner minutes before his death, saving him from hell. Overall, the Right Thief is praised because he rebuked his fellow thief, admitted his own sins and wrongdoings, recognized that he deserved crucifixion, justified Christ, asking, “What wrong has He done?” He acknowledged that Jesus Christ is a King, and most importantly, despite seeing Jesus on the cross in disgrace and shame, he said to Him: “Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your kingdom.” Therefore, he deserved to hear from our Lord: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”