Three Crosses

4/03/2010 12:47:00 PM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)


            “And it was the third hour when they crucified him…and with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.”  Mark 15:25, 27  ESV

            There were three crosses that day.  Jesus had been crucified between two thieves.  Two of the three were guilty and deserved judgment.  One was innocent and chose to die for the guilty.

            It’s interesting how the two thieves reacted to this horrible situation.  It’s remarkable how Jesus responded.  Each cross bore a significant message.  I want to highlight each below.  Perhaps you’ll identify with one of them.  Hopefully it transforms this Easter into something very personal to you.

CROSS #1 – The Cross of Rejection

            The first thief was only interested in himself.  He didn’t care why the others hung beside him.  He mocked Jesus and told Him to use His “so-called” abilities as the Christ to get them all down.  He rejected Jesus for who He was and demanded Jesus do as he said.  He wanted to stop suffering so he could go on living life as he wanted.  Unfortunately, we are all born with this kind of attitude toward God.  We are self-centered and proudly decide what we will do.  The CROSS OF REJECTION will personally pay for their sin. 

CROSS #2 – The Cross of Repentance

            The second thief was broken and sorry.  He rebuked the first thief for his comments and scolded him for not fearing God.  He admitted that he deserved this penalty for his life but that Jesus did not.  He did not ask Jesus to take away this deserved punishment but humbly cried for an undeserved mercy and grace.  He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  This was the CROSS OF REPENTENCE.  There is hope for the one on this cross.

CROSS #3 -  The Cross of Redemption

            Jesus was crucified between the two thieves.  He was dying for their sins.  He was being punished for the sins of mankind.  He was a perfect sacrificial Lamb being offered for the sins of the world.  His sacrificial death would be enough.  The demands of a perfect justice were met.  The death of Jesus would pave the way for our redemption.   The CROSS OF REDEMPTION opens the door to forgiveness and life.

THE CROSS OF REJECTION ignores and turns away from THE CROSS OF REDEMPTION.  It is a choice with horrible and terminal consequences.

THE CROSS OF REPENTANCE humbly receives the CROSS OF REDEMPTION.  When the thief cried out to Jesus, He said, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”  The mercy and grace of God is available to all who humbly repent and cry out to the One who died on the CROSS OF REDEMPTION.

This Easter could be the best one for you personally if you will approach the CROSS OF REDEMPTION from the CROSS OF REPENTANCE.  Please do.

            “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us!  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’”   Luke 23:39-43

Our Sin Nature Demands a Savior

3/04/2010 09:16:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry /

Today we visited 9th Fort in Kaunas, Lithuania.  This was one of many Jewish extermination camps during World War II.  Over 50,000 people were killed.  As we walked through the fort and saw where the atrocities were committed I couldn't help but think of how awful and depraved the human heart had to be to do such things.  The Bible does say that the heart is "deceitful and desperately wicked."

With a heart condition like that we need much more than forgiveness; we need redemption.  Our sin nature demands a Savior.  God's holy and righteous nature can't just let something like this go.  He must judge such a heart.  That's what makes His love for us so much louder than normal.  He sent His Son to serve the sentence our sins deserved.  Jesus actually died for us and in our place so that we wouldn't have to.

Of course, we must receive the gift of life that He offers.  Just because He paid the price doesn't mean you or I have to accept it.  We can still choose to serve our sentence, which is death, or we can accept His redemptive gift, which is life and forgiveness.  Have you made your decision yet.

A Great Discovery in Lithuania

3/03/2010 12:56:00 PM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)

As you can see from the picture, I've found a McDonalds!  Ah yes...my internal navigational system can smell out a McDonalds anywhere.  I feel like I'm back home again.  :-)

Seriously, we're having a great time in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania.  We've been able to do some prayer walking as well as get to know a few of the locals.  I met a young lady from this city who comes to N.J. to visit her mom every summer.  When she found out I was a pastor from the US she wanted to know when and where the Bible Study would be here in town.  She's planning to come tomorrow night and brings some friends.  God is working...this looks like the beginnings of a new church start.

Keep praying.

I'll be back in touch ASAP.

Pastor Mike

Stop over at Helsinki, Finland

3/02/2010 03:16:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)

These guys looks like they've been up all night.  They have!  We landed in Helsinki at 8 am (but that is 1am Sarasota time).  Big shock was to land in the snow.  Snow is everywhere and coming down.  We hope they can take off from here for Lithuania in about 8 hours.

Chad's looking for a diet coke.  Jerry found some coffee for 2.5 euros.  The rest of us are still thinking about what we'll do for the next 8 hours.  Talk again soon.

:)

Heading to Lithuania

3/01/2010 08:42:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)

It's a sunny day in Tampa, Florida.  Heading to the tundra of NYC and then off to Lithuania.  Pray that our travel plans go exactly as the Lord desires.  Pray that we meet a lot of people who need Jesus.   Updates to come.  For more extensive updates see our Lithuania link on our church website.  www.sarasotabaptist.com



Blessings!

Jerry, Pastor Mike, Sam, Chad and Rod.      :)

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