In reference to the answer provided in the link below by Bro Eli Soriano
@fatimajunio/qdhfizom
My point of view:
Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The faith that was exercised by that thief on the cross was salvation, He was saved by making a request from the deepest part of his heart. And Jesus who knows and sees his heart granted his request.
Even the thief may be looking forward to meeting Jesus before then but life situations and conditions would have restricted him. But he had an encounter with him when he least expect it.
He did what he thought was normal by rebuking his fellow thief from mocking Jesus Christ, with mercy at work, he gained eternal life in Christ.