Supreme

But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?" - Luke 23:40

It would seem to me that a death row inmate would not need to be reminded of what lies in their future. A crime has been committed, judgment has been pronounced, all that remains is the carrying out of the sentence. Death is inevitable. The only hope for a person in such a fatal position is the existence of a judge who may overturn the previous sentence, a "supreme" judge who has the power to pardon.

Two criminals hung on crosses next to Jesus. One was blind to Christ's identity and hurled insults, but the other was not and begged for mercy. One thief received eternal freedom, but the other received only eternal condemnation. What was the difference?

The man who begged for mercy believed that Jesus was, and is "Supreme."

The Scriptures make this very clear; people don't grow spiritually by their own efforts, they just conform outwardly and stay stuck inwardly. - John Burke