Last Sunday morning I arrived at the church building to find a bag hanging on the door. It wasn’t one of those we have received in the past which contained advertisements or promotional materials. No, this bag contained what was apparently intended to be an anonymous gift. Inside was what looked like a nice handcrafted creation made from wood. It was three crosses attached to a base. It even had a small placard with the name of our church on it. As I checked out the video from our security cameras, I didn’t recognize the person who had left it there. I don’t know if this was a generous deed done solely for our church or if this individual was doing this for other churches too. If the person happens to be reading this, let me just say, “Thank you!” Your handiwork was on prominent display on a table just inside the church door that morning.
The reminder of the three crosses is very appropriate during this season leading up to Easter. We rightfully focus on the middle cross, the one on which Jesus was crucified. We are grateful that He was willing to suffer and die as the sacrifice for our sins. However, let’s not forget about the other two crosses and what they represent. Those two criminals who were crucified on either side of Jesus can depict us and our attitude toward Him. We have all sinned and are guilty of death. Yet those two fellow-sufferers with Jesus displayed very different spirits when it came to their situation and their view of Him. Which one best represents us?
On the one side, you have the criminal who joined in with the crowd who were ridiculing Jesus. He mockingly encouraged Jesus to save Himself if He really was the Christ. But just in case there was any truth to Jesus’ claim, he added, “… and save us”. He was actually only concerned about himself. He showed no remorse about what he had done. He exhibited no true faith in Jesus.
That attitude still describes a number of people today. They reject Jesus and His claim to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He is Someone to make fun of. They may try to cover their bases at times just in case they are wrong, but they don’t really believe, don’t accept the truth, and aren’t seeking any kind of real relationship with Jesus. It is all about themselves and what they want. They choose to die in their sin rather than accept the free gift of life in Jesus.
On the other side of Jesus, there is likewise a criminal. He is just as guilty as the other person. However, this man is willing to confess that he is getting what he deserves. He is guilty and he knows it. Additionally, he recognizes that there is something different about Jesus. He sees that He hadn’t done anything deserving of death. He calls out to Jesus with some degree of faith, “Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). And Jesus let the man know that his prayer had been heard and would be answered.
Have we responded to Jesus in a similar fashion? We all need to recognize our guilt before the sinless Son of God. We need to confess our sin and repent. We need to call out to the Lord and trust Him as the only One who can save us. It doesn’t require a seminary degree nor does it have to involve a host of complicated religious rites. This criminal shows us that we simply need to have a repentant spirit and reach out to Jesus in faith.
Which cross portrays you and your relationship to Jesus today?
Tony Elder, Author/Pastor 
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