Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for 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 23:39-43 NKJV)
We have heard and read the Scriptures concerning the three crosses on calvary the day that Jesus was crucified. Each cross has its own meaning and significance for all of us.
Cross Number One: The Cross
of Rashness, Rebellion and Rejection
The criminal hanging there in agony took no thought for the reason that he should suffer this awful fate. He rashly taunted Christ. He, in anger and rejection, mockingly called out “are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” He not only rejected Christ, but in total rebellion, he refused to acknowledge his own responsibility for his sinful ways.
Cross Number Two: The Cross
of Repentance, Reception and Request
This man showed repentance in his rebuke of the man who had railed on the Lord Jesus. He, in asking, “Do you not fear God?” accepted the fact that he himself was responsible for his own plight. He, then, expressed his acknowledgment of who Christ was, recognizing the pure innocence and sinlessness of the Son of God. Next, he asked only that Jesus remember him once He had come into His kingdom. This was truly a humble request from a penitent sinner.
Cross Number Three: The Cross
of Righteousness, Redemption and Relief
Jesus Christ the righteous Son of God felt this repentant sinner’s anguish of heart, soul and spirit. Jesus extended redemption to that poor, dying soul and granted relief and the promise of paradise in the life hereafter with God, Christ and the holy angels.
The lessons we should take from the three crosses of Calvary are these. Avoid a life that leads to the cross of rashness, rebellion and rejection. Live a life that leads to repentance, acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus and the right to make your humble request for the righteousness, redemption and relief that can only be found in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus. It was He who died on that third cross. He did it for you, for me and for all mankind.
