“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals — one on His right, the other on His left. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminals rebuked him and said to Jesus, ‘Remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 NIV)
Three crosses stood on Calvary’s hill, each holding a man condemned to die. One man died in sin. He was a dying sinner. He died with sin in him. His was the cross of rejection. To his many sins the criminal added the greatest sin of al: unbelief.
One man died to sin. He was a dying saint. he died with sin taken from him. His was the cross of reception. This criminal believed, and as a result, his sins were cancelled by Jesus. What a day it was for him! Morning in sin; noon in grace; night in glory.
One man died for sin. He was a dying Savior. He died with sin upon Him. His was the cross of redemption. This cross is the wonder of all time. The sins upon Jesus were the sins of the world and by this cross, Jesus won heaven for all who believe.
This beautiful Easter season, every person must decide what they are going to do about this Jesus who died on the cross in the middle. Like the criminals crucified with Him, you can reject or accept His sacrifice for you. To reject is to spend eternity in agony; to accept is to spend eternity in heaven. The choice is ours!
Bro. Ken
