Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

Week 30: Salvation - the thief on the cross

12 snips

Mar 30, 2026

A reflection on the thief on the cross and the hope of last‑minute repentance. Encourages parents to keep presenting the gospel and praying for their children. Shares simple, everyday moments that can lead kids to say yes to Jesus. Reminds listeners there is no fixed timeline for salvation and to trust God’s drawing work.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Salvation Can Come At The Last Moment

The thief on the cross shows it's never too late to repent and receive salvation through declaring Jesus Lord.
Courtney reads Luke 23:42–43 and emphasizes the thief's final moment faith as hope for any late conversions.

ANECDOTE

Allie Stanley Chose Jesus Over College Temptations

Courtney shares Allie Stanley's experience: she chose purity because she found Jesus more satisfying than college temptations.
Allie said Jesus was better than drinking, bad decisions with boys, and lying, guiding her choices in college.

ANECDOTE

ABC Scripture Cards Led To Ella's Question

Courtney recounts using ABC scripture cards with her daughter Ella; the V verse led Ella to ask about eternal life at age five.
Ella responded enthusiastically when asked if she wanted to live in heaven forever with Jesus, marking an early salvation moment.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42–43)

As Jesus was led to his crucifixion, he was surrounded by two men on crosses next to him, all three of them facing death. One man was mocking and doubting Jesus, but the other man turned to Jesus in his final moments and was promised eternity with Jesus.

Although not much was shared in this interaction, the thief did proclaim Jesus was Lord. It’s a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to repent and accept Jesus. There is always hope; in fact, the Bible says that everyone who calls on his name will be saved (Romans 10:13). This story also reminds us that doing good works or earning our way to heaven is not what Jesus offered us; it is a free gift.

As believing parents, our hope is that there is more distance between our kids’ salvation and their death than there was for the thief on the cross. We know that true peace, joy, and hope is found in following Jesus, and we want our kids to have that for a lifetime; we want them to experience a full life of faith. We want them to spend many years drawing others to faith. However, we must never count out a child that is full of sin and far from God. God is still reaching for them up until their last breath.

This week, let’s pray that our kids accept the free gift of salvation and spend their lives following Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation. Lord, please draw __________ to you. Help them to understand what following you means, that there is nothing they can do to make you love them less or more, and that you give them the gift of peace on earth now and eternal life with you later. Amen.

If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes.

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy