"Three Crosses on the Hill" [Good Friday]

“Three Crosses on the Hill”    [Good Friday]

Going back to the people at Calvary we gather an HD picture of the world.

Some gazed at Jesus with hatred, making fun of Him and all 

that He claimed. 

His clothes became the prizes in a gambling match while dying on the cross.  Remorse, tears, and grief flowed from the eyes of His family 

and friends.   While the pain of the rusted spikes drawn through His flesh rushed within His hands, and feet; the crown of thorns also throbbed upon His brow. Others cried with faith, hope and love that Jesus taught while He walked amongst them.

3 men died on Calvary that day.  Giving us 3 keys to our own attitudes today.

Luke: 23:33-34, 39-43  “They nailed Jesus to the cross there, and the two

criminals, one on His right and one on His left.  Jesus said, ‘Forgive them

Father!  They don’t know what they are doing...”   ...One of the criminals

hanging there threw insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah?  Save yourself and us!”  The other one, however, rebuked him saying; 

“Don’t you fear God?  Here we are all under the same sentence, 

ours however, is only right, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.”

And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus when you come as King!”

Jesus said to him, “I tell you this; today you will be in Paradise with me.”

The Three Crosses:  Rebellion, Redemption and Repentance

Cross on Right:       Rebellion:     A man dying in sin

Cross in Center:      Redemption: The Lamb of God dying for all sin

Cross on Left:         Repentance: A man dying in sin, but forgiven.

Rebellion: A man dying in sins and ruined his life in criminal acts. He lived

a hard life which made him bitter and cold hearted.  Now death was his final defeat.  Even in the very presence of God; his heart was blinded to spiritual truth.

Redemption: On the center cross Jesus died for our sins to redeem us.

We, the slaves to the deceptions of Satan became his slaves.  Jesus paid the price for our ransom by dying on the cross.  The only Son of God redeemed us from Satan’s power, and bought us with His own life.   

When Jesus died, He died in our place.   

1Peter 1:19  “You were set free by the costly sacrifice of Christ, 

who was like a lamb without defect or spot.”

Repentance: On the right cross the sinner died to his sins, was freed from

them by trusting in Jesus.  This freed man was willing to face Jesus and

the truth; he confessed his wrongs.  Jesus was His Savior, the Messiah.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Ephesians 1:6-7 “Let us praise God for His glorious grace, for the free gift He gave us in His dear Son!   

For by the death of Christ we are set free, and our sins are forgiven.”