The theme of God’s redemptive plan runs through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. At its heart is Calvary, the place where Jesus died so we could be forgiven. Isaiah foretold that Christ would be “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). As we look to Calvary, we see three crosses.
The Cross of REBELLION (Luke 23:39) This man was dying because of crimes he had committed. Jesus had done nothing against him, yet this man used some of his last minutes in life to mock and scorn Jesus. As death approached, he was not moved to sorrow by thoughts of being punished forever for his wicked life. He was returning another’s love with bitterness. Jesus was dying for him also. Even the solemnity of death could not restrain the blasphemies from his lips. This man died scoffing; he died in sin.
The Cross of REPENTANCE (LUKE 23:40-43) This man saw his horrible situation and considered his eternal fate (i.e., Remorse is moral anguish arising from repentance for past misdeeds; it is bitter regret.). He was moved to repentance, and Jesus rewarded him with forgiveness. Before he died physically, this man died to sin.
The Cross of REDEMPTION On this cross was the sinless Son of God. His mission on earth was to seek and save the lost, climaxing in the sacrifice of His life to pay the price for our sins. Jesus “committed no sin,” but He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:22, 24). Many people taunted and challenged Him to show He was the Christ by coming down from the cross. Instead, He demonstrated His love for you and me by staying on the cross. The man on the middle cross died for sin.
God’s Old Covenant with the Jews separated the Jews from all other nations. He removed it when Jesus died (Ephesians 2:11-16; Colossians 2:14; Romans 7:6-7; Galatians 3:24-25). In its place, the death of Jesus brought the New Covenant for all people of all nations (Hebrews 9:15-17; 12:24; Mark 16:15-16). Now, after His death, a believing sinner receives the benefit of the death of Jesus by repenting, confessing his faith and being baptized into the death of Christ (cf. Romans 6:3-4).
