About this time every year we recognize both the tragedy and the beauty of Jesus’ work on the cross, and celebrate His Resurrection on “Resurrection Sunday”. I assume that if you are reading this, you are believer and understand the implications of the cross… I’ll quickly quote one of my favorite hymns and then get to the point of this post…
“Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe… sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
I noticed one day as I drove by a small church close to our home the three crosses we most often see on display in the yard of some churches at Easter, one adorned with the royal purple sash that portrays Christ’s royalty. As you know, there were three crosses at Calvary, and two men crucified next to Jesus. One man taunted Jesus, insisting that if He were really the son of God that He would take Himself down off the cross. The other man said to Jesus, “I am a sinner and my punishment is just. Forgive me, Lord, and remember me on your throne. Jesus told the man, “This day you will be with me in paradise.”
I love that! Redemption literally ON the cross! But as I drove by the small church by my house, with 3 crosses in the yard I wondered to myself… “Why would they put up all 3 crosses on display? Isn’t the one cross the one we celebrate?”
As quickly as I thought the thought, I was reminded of the truth that Jesus died for BOTH men on both of the crosses; the one who repented and the one who taunted. The only difference between the two was whether they accepted the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, or if they refused. It’s a choice we all will make. I’ve been both of these men. I have spit in the face of Jesus, yet he still died for me. While I was still sinning, He died for ME.
We all carry a cross in this life. Either the one built from our own sin, or the cross Jesus carried up to Calvary; the cross where my sin debt was paid in full. The cross I gladly pick up and follow after Jesus with. Following Jesus isn’t easy. We aren’t guaranteed a better life as a believer. We ARE offered an eternal one…
The best part of the story remains… Yes Jesus died… but the story doesn’t end there! Glory to God, 3 days later he rebuilt the temple, and walked out of the tomb! He lives today, I spoke with him just this morning…
