On the TV show, “America’s Got Talent,” contestants are judged by a panel of four well-known celebrities. If the participant’s performance isn’t liked, he or she gets disqualified with a big red X. But if the performance is exceptional, the contestant may be given a golden buzzer by a judge, sending him or her directly to the live show and possible victory, regardless of the opinions of the other judges. Luke 23:38-43 (NIV) relates the experience of Jesus giving a “golden buzzer” on the Cross, while hanging between two thieves. Above His head hung a sign which read, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the thieves began to hurl insults at Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other thief defended Jesus and rebuked the other criminal, saying, “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”  The repentant thief got to bypass all of the eliminations. Jesus essentially gave him the golden buzzer. He was going to Heaven. He would never be judged again because his sin had already been judged on the cross and Jesus forgave him. Even as Jesus was in the process of dying for all of our sins, His blood had already atoned for that man’s sin. As children of God, we need not worry about being disqualified.