32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
- Luke 23:32-33

God’s ways are higher

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
- Ephesians 3:20-21
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- Luke 23:39-43

Divine mercy cancels what we do deserve

Justice is for those who deserve it, mercy is for those who don’t.
- Woodrow Kroll
Mercy, that is the gospel. The whole of it in one word.
- E. H. Chapin

Divine grace allows us to have what we don’t deserve

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
- Ephesians 2:4-5
Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace.
- C.J. Mahaney