Three Crosses

Luke 23:32-43, “Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him… one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing…’ And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering… The soldiers also mocked Him…saying, ‘If you are King of the Jews, save Yourself!’… One do the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, and rebuked him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’”

It is so like God to have me study what is traditionally taught at Eastern in the Christmas season. But this comes from driving past a church on the way to a field trial for my dog this past weekend. The church is called Livingway Church in San Antonio, Texas. On their building are three crosses. As I passed their facility the Holy Spirit said to me, “There were 3 crosses at Calvary.” And so while I continued driving I pondered Christ hanging between 2 thieves. All of which was a well and good pass time until the idea of three crosses was mumurated at the field trial itself by a woman wearing a 3 cross pendant. Again the thought of the three crosses on Calvary reverberated in my spirit.

Even now I think of the first criminal who taunted Christ. Perhaps he thought that in taking the side of the executioners, and the religious zealots that it might earn his freedom. Why else in that position of suffering would he be anything but focused on himself? The first criminal reminds me of Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver. Saying what the adults wanted to hear, or in the cast the religious leaders, but completely deviant plans otherwise. He was taunting Jesus I believe to because he believed the executioners had the power. Man, not God, to this person had the power to save him from this imminent death.

The second criminal on the other hand knew he was a sinner. And he knew he was a sinner because in his heart He knew there was a God who held the ultimate accountability. But what shocks me the most, and the thing that I would want everyone reading this to ponder is that this man was “saved” simply by acknowledging Jesus would have a kingdom and asking Him to remember him. One sentence of defense of Christ, one backhanded acknowledgment that Christ would be in authority over a kingdom, and this criminal was saved and received the eternal reward of heaven. Jesus Himself said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

This truly should give us all pause as whole denominations of men have declared doctrines that demand outward acts to achieve salvation whether it by communion, baptism or beyond. And yes the rituals all have importance, but the second criminal is our eternal reminder of Matthew 25:40 where Jesus said, “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mind, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” As much as we would like to hide behind an ego created persona. As much as we would like to trust in the doctrines of men for our salvation. As much as we would like to play both sides of the fence. The end will all come down to His remembrance of our heart and the acts it inspired. Simple belief in the kingdom of Christ, but also how did we treat Him getting there?