The Three Crosses

 “They took Jesus and … crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side.” (John 19:16-18)

On a dark day nearly 2,000 years ago, three men died on three crosses on a hillside near Jerusalem. You may have heard about Jesus dying on the center cross, but what do you know about the people on the other two crosses?

THE CROSS OF REJECTION

“One of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” Luke 23:39

On the first cross we find a criminal who died the way he lived—in complete rejection of God’s grace. Even in the final hours of life, this man showed no remorse for his actions and even blasphemed the Lord with his words. This man stands as a warning to all who reject God’s salvation. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God sent His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins. All who reject Jesus Christ will die in their sins and spend eternity under God’s judgment in the Lake of Fire.

THE CROSS OF REPENTANCE

“But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying … ‘We receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:40-43

On the second cross we see a sinner who admitted his guilt. This change of heart and mind is called repentance, and is something we all must do. We must see the error of our ways and turn to God’s way. Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). Turning to Jesus in complete humility, this thief called out for salvation. Think of the great faith this required: Jesus was dying right beside him, yet this poor sinner trusted his eternal soul to Him. Because of his repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, he received the promise of everlasting life in Heaven with his Lord.

THE CROSS OF REDEMPTION

“Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 5:9

Jesus, our Redeemer, laid down His life on the middle cross. To redeem means to buy back. Our sins are like a debt far greater than we can pay. Jesus was sinless and holy, yet chose to take upon Himself the punishment for our sin. He died for us, so that we can live forever with Him. Then, three days later, He rose triumphantly from the grave. It is only through His sacrifice that our sins can be washed away. The Bible says that we are “redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Just as we have seen with the two men on the two crosses, there are two responses to Jesus—and two eternal destinies. Jesus willingly suffered under the hand of God to redeem you from sin, and rose from the dead to offer you eternal life. I pray you will see yourself as God sees you—a condemned sinner—and that you will turn to Him, trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior. The choice is yours to make. Which do you choose today: rejection or repentance?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16,18

Source: http://www.mwtb.org