Having seen what Jesus offered, there was no way Peter and the others could be satisfied simply going back to their old way of life.

We have no idea where Simon was by that time, but Simon’s legacy of faith and ministry lived on in his children, the eminent apostle, the churches that were planted as a result, and ultimately in us. And it all went back to that moment when Simon picked up Jesus’ cross and carried it for awhile.

The tax collector was clearly humbling himself. Everything about his prayer indicated a sense of brokenness and inadequacy. He knew that he was a sinner. He knew there was no way he could fix his sin. And so he looked to God for forgiveness, and in his mercy, God granted it.

Jesus was right. As he breathed his last, death was defeated. The sting that causes death, sin, was overcome. We are enabled to live life as more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because, as Jesus said, “It is finished” indeed.

If Jesus could tell the criminal hanging on the cross that he would be with Jesus in paradise today, what is stopping him from saying the same thing you?