Three Crosses on Calvary

 

Three Crosses – Three Different Men

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ 

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

 

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed* Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

* Blaspheme is a word we no longer use in casual conversation. In the Hebrew text, it means to perforate with violence. In today's vernacular, that would mean to poke holes in an argument forcefully. In the Greek text: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile. 

 

I paused here to examine the word blaspheme because of what is recorded in Mark 3:28-30. It is always a good idea when studying the Scriptures to get as clear an understanding as we can. I think what blaspheme boils down to is doubting who Jesus Christ is and speaking evil against Him.

To Continue

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” ~ Luke 23: 32-42 

There were three crosses on Calvary on the day Jesus Christ was crucified. The man on the left rejected God's will. The man on the right accepted God's will. The man in the middle chose God's will.

 

God knows exactly what He wants to accomplish. If we truly believe God's promise of eternal life, then we must choose to trust God in all things... the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

It was not by accident that Jesus was crucified with two thieves. Isaiah had prophesied:  

“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and, He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  ~ Isaiah 53:12

 

Which man are you? Have you chosen to crucify the flesh? ~ Galatians 5:24-25. Crucifying the flesh is not easy, most people don't even try. That's why broad is the way to destruction, and narrow is The Way to eternal life.

There are two types of Christians… overcomers and non-overcomers. Non-overcomers believe that the goal of salvation is to populate heaven with “saved sinners”. Overcomers know the real goal of salvation is to put on the mind of Christ. Do what He did… crucify the works of the flesh, and get what He got… a crown of Life. Read it for yourself in James 1:12 and Revelation 3:21.

 

Overcomers are professional assassins of their own carnality. An overcomer asks himself three questions every day.
1. Is what I am doing now building Christ-like character?
2. Is what I am doing now producing the fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22.
3. Is what I am doing now helping me overcome the carnal mind?

 

What if you asked yourself these questions several times a day? Write these questions on 3x5 cards or on the back of business cards. Carry one with you at all times. Post one on your desk at work. Affix one to a conspicuous spot inside your car. And place another one on the mirror you use most at home. Read these questions several times a day. Focus on becoming the person Jesus Christ chose you to be. 

 

 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.