John Chrysostom: Just as Thief Saw Christ with Faith, Christ Saw his Faith

What did you see that was worthy of a kingdom? A man crucified, flogged, mocked accused, spat upon, scourged - is this, tell me, worthy of a kingdom? Do you notice that he saw with the eyes of faith, and did not examine appearances? Hence God did not examine mere words, either; instead, just as the fellow had regard for divinity, so God had regard for the brigand's heart, saying, "This day you will be with me in paradise."

- John Chrysostom (around A.D. 347 to around A.D. 407), Sermon 7 on Genesis, in St. John Chrysostom, Eight Sermons on the Book of Genesis, p. 125 (2004), Robert C. Hill translator.