THREE CROSSES ON CALVARY!

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS....Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

(Matthew 27:37, 38)

As we prepare to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, it would be of value to remember that there were 3 crosses on Calvary when Jesus died.  Certainly, we are familiar with the Cross that Jesus had to carry and was nailed to.  The song, "must Jesus bear the cross alone," rings in my ears even at this moment. It says, "Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No there's a cross for every one, and there's a cross for me." 

There were at least two other crosses on Calvary on that fateful day.  Those crosses were occupied by 2 individuals who deserved their punishment.  They were both guilty of crimes.  Yet one was repentant and acknowledged Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and one did not. 

I wonder, if we have a cross to bear, which cross would suit our case?  Let's look at each one.

On one cross, the wrongdoer (malefactor), would "DIE IN SIN!"  He refused to repent and actually mocked Jesus as he was dying on the cross.  (Luke 23:39).  I would not want to be on that cross.  His death "IN SIN" lead to eternal destruction.

The other malefactor understood that he was a sinner and that Jesus was Lord.  He said unto Jesus, "Lord remember me when you come into  your Kingdom.  Because he believed in Christ, he "DIED TO SIN!"   That would be the cross that would be appropriate for me. 

But the Cross which we are most familiar with, and will celebrate on Resurrection Sunday, is the Cross which Jesus died on.    It was on that Cross, where Jesus "DIED FOR SIN!"  Only Jesus is worthy of that Cross.  He had no sin, but took on our sins that we would be saved.

But remember, even though Jesus died on the Cross, He got up on the third day Sunday morning with all power in His hands. And even though we have a cross to bear; because of what Jesus did, we shall have everlasting life too.  Hallelujah!