Do you actually know what happened during the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus? Perhaps you have already read it in the New Testament. If not, then you should read through it.
You can find the incident for example in Mark 15:22-39.
The Lord Jesus was hated by the people. They wanted to kill Him. Therefore, they captured Him and brought Him to a judge. This man was named Pilate. Pilate had the right to release people or to condemn them. But he was an unjust judge. When the Lord Jesus was brought to him, he found no reason to punish Him. However, because the enemies of the Lord Jesus cried out so vehemently that the Lord Jesus should be killed, Pilate listened to them and sentenced Him to death. Think about this calmly: the judge knows exactly that the defendant is completely innocent and yet he condemns Him!
At this time, there were two robbers in prison who were to be executed for their crimes. Now it was decided to crucify these two along with the Lord Jesus. Three crosses were set up on a hill named Golgotha. A robber was crucified on the right, a robber was crucified on the left, and in the middle? In the middle, they crucified the Lord Jesus! A righteous man between two criminals!
The people who were watching knew that the Lord Jesus had said that He is the Son of God. Now they mocked Him and shouted at Him, that He should use His power and descend from the cross. The Lord Jesus could have done that! But He voluntarily stayed on the cross. Do you know why? Because He loves you and knew that you can only be saved if He dies for your sins.
In Luke 23:39-43, it is reported to us that even one of the thieves, who was already hanging on the cross and soon had to die, mocked Lord Jesus. However, it suddenly became clear to the second thief that Lord Jesus was innocent and that He is the Son of God. The thief also realized that he himself was evil and that his crucifixion was the just punishment for his terrible deed.
To his great terror, it suddenly became clear to him: "Even God will punish me for my sins!" Now he regretted his sins, and so he addressed the Lord Jesus. What might the Lord have answered him?
Did He say: "I will not help you, sinner!", or: "Go first and reconcile your guilt!", or: "You must first do good deeds to earn your place in heaven!"? No, the Lord Jesus answered him that he would be with Him in heaven on that very day. That was grace!
It is the same today: if you acknowledge your sins and confess them to God, He forgives you and you go to heaven. No one can earn a place in heaven. No one goes to heaven because they have done many good works on earth. Look, the robber on the cross also had no more time to do anything. He could only believe.
Only this faith in the Lord Jesus is the way to heaven.
He is the only way.
