The Good Thief (From The Easter Suite) Poem by Bill Mitton

The Good Thief
Whence came the grace he got that day
whilst he to hung there in agony
who wrung the goodness from his soul
whilst death did slowly take its toll.
'Our deeds have earned the death we die.
yet this man dies and none know why,
Lord as this day you reach your home
remember you did not die alone.”
Yet should we wonder at this thing
of the Thief who died beside our king
for even though with sin forlorn
in God’s image this thief was born
and so they died there on Calvary
That thief, and, He who set us free.
for the simple faith of his last words
in his final breath the thief he heard
Our dying Lord and Saviour say
“you'll be in paradise with me this day.”