There were three crosses on that 1st 'Good Friday' that we have been celebrating for many years. Yes the prophesy said, "HE was numbered among the transgressors" Isa53:12 and I see many other stuff that we can learn from the three crosses. 1. We will suffer and die physically as well spiritually for the sins we commit if we are not repentant. 2. Even when we have committed sins, when we recognize the Holy God and Lord Jesus and repent and ask forgiveness, we will suffer physically, and die physically too, but spiritually we will be alive forever, and we will be at peace, redeemed and forgiven. 3. The middle Cross is supposed to be for us but SOME HOLY ONE took our place so that you and I can be redeemed and be forgiven. But we must ask God to do that. And B. like that middle Cross, God may call us to suffer injustice even when we have not done anything wrong, when we are in a right relationship with God thru His son Jesus Christ, we will suffer physically as its given us to not only believe but to suffer for Christ, but we learn to obey God in every moments of our lives and even when called upon to die, to pray to be faithful till the end and we will live eternally. Mostly God calls many to be a living sacrifice, and not just die, but few are called to die as well. I pray that we learn to live to be a living sacrifice; yes, that means we dont have a right to live our lives to please our own flesh and desires but to please God. Jesus living in and thru us.
So lets go back to the 3 crosses.
1. One cross had a thief, a criminal who wanted Jesus to help him get rid of his physical pain which was a result of his own sinful wrong doings. He just wanted an easy way out; he was not sorry for his sins. Doesn't this shock that he was SO CLOSE to Jesus even in the last moments of his life and yet FAILED to recognize the HOLY One? In fact, he mocked along with others: Luke 23:39"One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"
And this criminal died, went away without forgiveness that was available right next to him.
We can easily say, Wow! suffering in your last moments and yet hurling abuse at the Holy One? but we could be the same way, even today, we may NOT be able to recognize the REAL Jesus because we are so used to the what we were introduced the only one sided character of his, meek and mild, easy going Jesus for a long time, or we have been introduced to a stern angry Jesus who has no mercy type Jesus, and so we are so angry at the disciplining Jesus that does not excuse our sins. Or we have a wrong concept of Jesus, either too easy going or too stern.
This thief represents many, even within the church, so many people thinking Jesus will excuse all of their sins, get them out of their physical or immediate results of sin but they are not repentant to turn away, because they have false confidence that once they said the 'saved' prayer, they can continue to live to please themselves and their life does not reflect the forgiveness at all but they mistakenly think they will make it to heaven, that is WHY they do not want to change their lifestyle. They don't want to be caught and when caught they want to be free to go and sin more! We live and worship among many like this too. And this thief also represents many in the world who see nothing wrong in sinning, they think God is there to serve them, they think they are gods to themselves. They want God to 'save' them from the unpleasant consequences of sins but they do not want to live by God's holy standards. They are actually trying to mock God. But the Bible says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8
2. The other side on the cross also had a thief, a criminal again. And other gospel account says that both had mocked him,"Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him." Mark15:32. But, it appears, from Luke's account, that in those last few moments when this criminal saw Jesus' love and forgiveness and his response to the mockers, something within him changed. And he recognized the HOLY One. Luke 23:40. "But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
This criminal also did sinful things, and knew that they both were receiving the just punishment. Under grace was able to recognize who Jesus is, and he was repentant. He went away with a promise. We pray that we will recognize Jesus as soon as we hear of Him, and repent and NOT wait till the deathbed to say sorry to Jesus. This thief had no chance to be baptized, or take physical Holy Supper, but he did, the change of heart and receiving Jesus spiritually was what God is after. I believe even if he was given a chance to live, he would have lived for God and not go back to his sinful lifestyle.
3. Now comes the middle one, 'JESUS of Nazareth, the King of the Jews' the 'crime' listed on top of the Cross. He had committed no crime. A sinless, Holy One yet he died a brutal death and bled every ounce of his blood. "Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53: 10-11
"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-5-6
Jesus suffered for us, willingly for you, dear reader!! He took the blow and covered you so you will not be condemned IF you believe Him to be Your Savior and live a holy life with His help. And When we obey God, we may be called to suffer like Him. True Christianity is not an easy matter. But there is eternal peace and blessing and its worth every thing you have. So, what would your response be to Jesus knowing He died for you personally??? What would you do with this Jesus called Christ? God does not overlook sin, He does not excuse sin, He is a righteous God, and yet God is loving and merciful. Sin had to be punished, so Jesus took the punishment upon Himself and bore God's wrath so you and I can go free IF we repent of our sins and turn 180 degrees towards holiness.
Remember as someone has said, "One thief was saved so none may despair, but ONLY ONE so none may presume."
My prayer is that you will bow your head in humility and repent of your sins and be accepted in HIS righteous, holy and loving Kingdom. You can start by saying, "Dear God, I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness, forgive me my sins and help me to live a new life that only Jesus gives. I realize that I cannot earn it by doing good works, but receive it by faith as a gift from you. Thank you, for sending Jesus to die for my sins and take my place. I receive the gift of forgiveness and decide to live for you every day of my life. Help me to live a holy life like that of Jesus until I see you face to face and then live with you eternally. In Jesus saving same, Amen."
If you pray this prayer, please write to me. I will be praying for you and connect you to how you can grow in your new found faith in Christ.
Working in His Harvest field,
In Christ,
Kalpana Christian Sharma. (Mrs.)
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