Q & A with Author Jeff Randall

Author Jeff Randall

1.         What inspired you to write this book, and how did the idea first come to you?

A: Easter has been one of the most important holidays for me. It’s a love/hate feeling. I love what easter represents, Jesus dying for us, his grace, free gift of salvation. But then I hated that because of me he was beaten, mocked, nailed to a cross. From a young boy I always saw the two thieves next to him, one cursing and mocking Jesus to his final breath, rejected who Jesus was. The other thief realized who Jesus was, his heart changed, asking Jesus to remember him.

It is a powerful story of Jesus’s grace. The thief didn’t, couldn’t do anything to earn salvation. Nailed to a cross with only a breath or two left he understood what salvation met. And Jesus, knew his heart, knew the thief, knew who he was, and told him he would be in paradise with him.

Whenever I felt a haven’t done enough, or I am good enough, or worthy enough, I see the picture of the thief not doing anything but accepting Jesus for who he was and is. Saved by grace.

2. Was there a defining moment when you knew you had to write this book?

The unknow story of the lives of the two thieves always intrigued me. Did they know each other. Who were they, what kind of life did they live. The book of Luke is the only gospel that shares a conversation of with Jesus. Did they know anything about Jesus before they were nailed along side him. Why did one say yes to Jesus, and one didn’t.

It was a desire of mine to write a book. I didn’t know what I should write. Back and forth with, do I write something business related or a novel. However, the thought would come back to me about writing a story of the two thieves and Jesus’ grace. Over the years having conversations with both believers and nonbelievers about salvation and what we think we have to do to earn it, I always went back to the crosses. The only thing we have to do is sincerely say yes, yes to, Jesus. Trust Jesus will all our heart, ask for forgiveness, and forgive ourselves.

The thought of writing the story never went away but only got louder in my head. So, after pushing back for over thirty years, telling myself I could never do it, I said okay, I will try to tell a story that shows the grace of Jesus I saw as a young boy.

3. How does this book reflect your personal experiences or beliefs?

I had a mom who wanted her kids to hear about Jesus. I started going to church as a baby. At seven I went forward at Vacation Bible School said yes and was baptized.

My walk with Jesus was not always on the straight and narrow path. No, my teen years had some ugly moments. I got away from church. Not making the best decisions. Later in life I went back to church.

Over my life the journey was up and down, no different than anyone else, I’m sure. However, I always knew, felt that in those times I drifted away from Jesus, drenched in guilt, not good enough, he was never more than an arm’s reach stretched out to me. Like on the cross, his arms stretched out to both thieves. I would then see his grace, his goodness for me. This story has always been a reminder to me, he loved me for who I am not what I am. Even to our last breath his arms are reaching out to us.

4. What is the central theme of your book, why do you think it’s important? Who is your favorite character?

For me the main takeaway is, it is not too late if you still have a breath, to say yes to Jesus. I want to believe that Jesus fought back his last breath knowing that the one thief was going to say yes to him. Jesus wanted to personally tell him he would be in paradise with him that day. Jesus was excited to tell him the good news. Jesus wants to say to all of us, when we accept his invitation, his gift, welcome to paradise.

I also, want readers to see that the only thing we have to do is say yes to Jesus. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. The thief didn’t go to church every time the door was open, if ever. He wasn’t a giver, no if anything he was a taker. He didn’t serve Jesus at all. However, and I think this is an important part of the message, if he could have come down from his cross, the thief now saved would had been on fire to serve Jesus. He would have been excited to worship with others in church. He would have been more than a tither; I believe he would have been willing to give all to Jesus. He would have raced to the Jordon River, demanding to be baptized.

He would want to…not have to. That’s the main theme to me.

One of my favorite characters is Tabitha. She and Jesus met at the well in Samaria. There she learned what living water was all about. It changed her life. She knew the thieves. One she fought against the other she was fighting for. Her story was just starting at the foot of the cross.

5. How do you hope your book will impact readers?

I want readers to see the true love and grace of Jesus. To know it’s available to all, you don’t have to do enough or be enough. He will accept you where you are and who you are.  

 I pray this fiction story will drive readers to pick up the Bible. To read what Jesus says. To learn more about what his word has to say.

I hope the book will cause people to seriously question the decision they have made or not made. Why yes, why no, why not sure.

6. Is there a particular chapter or section of the book that is especially meaningful to you?

The part where Seth and his father were fishing and the tender father/son moment they shared. It was a moment Seth wanted more with his father. A picture of a son wanting so much to be loved by his father.

The section about the lady brought to Jesus, and the people demanded she be stoned. So many are so fast to condemn others. Jesus showed his love for the woman and mercy to those who wanted to throw stones.

7.Did you learn anything surprising while researching or writing this book?

As I wrote this book I felt his guidance. One of my biggest fears wanting to write this book was, will I be able to create good storylines, interesting characters, I always felt he was with me during the process.

I discovered I could write a book. Good or bad, that’s up to the reader.

I will also say writing a book takes an effort. I knew it would and that was one of the roadblocks I had to overcome. I wish I hadn’t waited thirty years to start. Can’t go back so I am excited to move forward with the next book.

8. How do you want readers to feel after finishing your book?

For believers, peace, peace in knowing you are saved by grace, nothing more, nothing less.

For non-believers, no matter how you see yourself, what you think of yourself, Jesus said you are worth dying for. Loved unconditionally.