Three Crosses
Three crosses stood at Calvary. On the first cross, a thief condemned by God and man. On the middle one, Jesus, the Son of God, accepted by God, yet condemned by man. On the third cross, another thief, condemned by God and man. Three crosses… three men… hours away from death. What happened on those three crosses?
The thief on the first cross hurled insults against Jesus. He mocked and spoke blasphemies against the Son of God. He never admitted his guilt or wrongful acts. He never saw the need of a Savior.
The thief on the third cross initially also cast insults and blasphemies against Jesus, but something else happened. His behavior started to change. He began to chastise the other thief. “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40-41). He admitted his guilt and sin and knew he deserved the punishment for his wrongful acts. But he went a step further.
Before he took his last breath, he called Jesus by name and acknowledged Him as King. He expressed his faith in Jesus Christ! “And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in your kingdom’” (Luke 23:42). He asked Jesus to forgive and save him.
On that second cross hung the Son of God. But before Jesus died, He made a promise to the thief on the third cross. “And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today, you shall be with me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:43). No baptism needed… no rituals required. By faith, the thief received Jesus as His personal Savior and received a home in Paradise-eternal life!
The difference between the three crosses:
The thief on the first cross died in his sin… Sadly, forever separated from God.
The thief on the third cross died redeemed from sin… Joyfully, forever living in God’s presence.
The Son of God on the second cross died to pay the penalty for sin…Obediently, forever reconciling us back to the Father.
All of us are just a heartbeat away from death. This Easter, examine your life. Which cross do you cling to?
If you cling to the first cross and refuse to accept Jesus Christ into your life, you will die in your sin… sentenced to eternal execution… cast into the outer darkness…forever separated from God’s presence where every moment will be more hopeless and torturous than the one before it.
But if you cling to the third cross, believing Christ paid for your sins, you will receive redemption… freed from all past, present, and future sins… justified in the sight of God… reconciled back to the Father… forever living in God’s presence where every moment will be more joyous than the one before it!
Be aware. God will not accept any excuses for unbelief. The middle cross bore Jesus, His Son… the only person who could bear that cross. His Son paid the highest price… His life. He humbly and obediently endured the punishment you and I deserved. To receive entrance into Paradise, acknowledge your need for a Savior, believe what Jesus did on that middle cross for you, and ask for forgiveness of your sins.
I don’t know about you, but years ago, I hung on the third cross, acknowledged my sinfulness and my need for a Savior. By faith, I accepted Jesus into my life. I cling to that cross because I know that I am redeemed, forgiven, justified, and reconciled to the Father. I am so grateful I am in the family of God and will enter into an eternal relationship with Him in Paradise! Why? Simply …
