“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
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