Luke 23:38-42: in context

Two criminals are crucified beside Jesus. One joins the mockery, sneering, if you are the Christ, save yourself and us. But the other rebukes him: do you not even fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve; but this man has done nothing wrong. And then, turning to Jesus, he makes a simple plea: Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. In his last hours, with nothing to offer and no time to earn anything, he turns to Christ in humble faith.

The penitent criminal shows what grace received by simple faith looks like. He has nothing to offer God: no good works, no reformed life, no time left to earn anything. He is a condemned criminal in his final hours, dying justly for his crimes, as he himself confesses. And yet he is saved, by the humblest of faith. He confesses his own guilt: we are getting what our deeds deserve. He recognizes Jesus' innocence and kingship: this man has done nothing wrong; when you come into your kingdom. And he makes a simple plea for mercy: remember me. That is all he can do, and it is enough; for Jesus answers, today you will be with me in Paradise. This is grace at its purest. The criminal did nothing to earn his salvation; he had no time and no works to offer. He simply turned to Christ in humble faith, confessing his guilt and asking for mercy, and Christ received him. This is a picture of how anyone is saved: not by works or by earning, but by grace, received through faith, by turning to Christ and asking for mercy. By grace you have been saved through faith, Paul says; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. The criminal boasted in nothing; he simply asked, and received. And this holds out hope to any who feel they have nothing to offer God, or that it is too late for them. The criminal was a condemned man in his final hours, with a life of crime behind him and no time to make amends. And he was received. It is never too late to turn to Christ, and no one is too far gone, too guilty, or too empty-handed to be received by him. The one who turns to Christ in humble faith, confessing guilt and asking mercy, is received, whatever their past and however little time remains. This searches whether we are trusting in what we can offer or bring, or simply turning to Christ for mercy. The criminal had nothing but his plea, remember me, and it was enough. And we are saved the same way: not by what we offer, but by turning to Christ in humble faith and asking for the mercy he freely gives. Lord, remember me, the criminal prayed; and Christ received him, as he receives all who turn to him with the empty hands of faith.

Do I feel I have too little to offer God, or that my past is too much and it is too late for me, and can the penitent criminal, who with nothing to offer and no time to earn anything simply turned to Christ, confessing his guilt and praying, remember me, and was received into Paradise, assure me that salvation comes not by what I bring but by grace received through humble faith, so that I turn to Christ for the mercy he freely gives, whatever my past and however empty my hands?