"And one of the malefactors who were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be Christ, save
Thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked Him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou
art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds:
but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou
comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be
with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:39-43).

Behold the Lamb whose precious blood,
Drawn from His riven side,
Had power to make our peace with God,
Nor lets one spot abide.

The dying thief beheld that Lamb
Expiring by his side,
And proved the value of the name
Of Jesus crucified.

His soul, by virtue of the blood,
To paradise received;
Redemption’s earliest trophy stood,
From sin and death retrieved.

We too the cleansing power have known
Of the atoning blood,
By grace have learnt His name to own,
Which brings us back to God.

To Him, then, let our songs ascend,
Who stooped in grace so low:
To Christ, the Lamb, the sinner’s Friend,
Let ceaseless praises flow.

(By William Trotter (1818-1865) in Hymns for the Little Flock.)