“Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross” is based on the story of one of the two thieves who was crucified alongside Jesus Christ.
Told from the perspective of the thief on the cross, this film presents God’s grace, salvation, and the hope found in Jesus Christ in a clear and compelling way.
Our hope is that this Japanese-language version will be used to share the gospel with Japanese people around the world—through church screenings, community gatherings, gatherings at home, online streaming, and many other settings.
Would you consider sharing this story of hope with the people around you?
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified alongside two criminals. As one of them reflected on his life and the weight of his own sins, he turned to Jesus and pleaded, “Jesus, remember me.” In response, Jesus made him an unexpected promise.
This film tells the story through the eyes of that criminal, revealing what took place during the final hours of his life. In the midst of despair, what did he see? What did he hear? And how did he discover eternal hope?
Based on the true story recorded in the Bible, this is a story of hope, forgiveness, and God’s grace. We invite you to discover the answer through this film.
Two thousand years ago, under the Roman Empire, criminals who had committed serious offenses were sentenced to death by crucifixion.
On that day, Jesus Christ was crucified alongside two criminals. Yet Jesus Himself had committed no crime.
One of the criminals acknowledged his own guilt and, in the final moments of his life, placed his faith in Jesus Christ.
He had no opportunity to start his life over or make up for his past through good deeds. But when he trusted in Jesus, he received an unexpected promise.
This story teaches that eternal life is not something we earn through our own efforts or good works. Rather, it is a gift of God’s grace, given to those who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
The events of the cross did not end as a moment in history 2,000 years ago.
The story of this one man invites each of us to consider two important questions:
What do we place our faith in?
Where do we find our hope?
This film is designed to be accessible even for those who are new to the Bible or Christianity. If you have ever wondered about the meaning of life, searched for lasting hope, or wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ, we warmly invite you to join us for this special screening.
We hope this story will help you discover the hope, forgiveness, and grace that are found in Jesus Christ.
This story is based on the account recorded in Luke 23:39–43 in the Bible.
✓ Why good works alone cannot save us
✓ The three responses God calls us to:
Turn. Ask. Believe.
✓How to receive the eternal life God offers
It tells the story of one of the criminals who was crucified alongside Jesus Christ. Based on the Bible, the film presents a message of hope and salvation.
Yes. The film is available in the following three options:
The film is approximately 50 minutes long.
No, it is free. The film is available to watch on Open the Bible’s YouTube channel. Screenings and streaming can be hosted by churches, organizations, or groups. Please contact us for more information.
No, it is free. The film is available to watch on Open the Bible’s YouTube channel. Screenings and streaming can be hosted by churches, organizations, or groups. Please contact us for more information.
Yes. The film is easy to understand even for those who have never read the Bible or know very little about Christianity. We recommend giving a brief introduction to the background of the story before the screening. Please contact us for more information.
Yes. We provide ideas and guidance to help you plan and host a screening. We also have social media graphics and other film-related resources available. Please feel free to contact us.
Please feel free to contact us through the contact form on this website.
Please feel free to submit any questions about the screening or any other inquiries below.