I have a story I would like to tell you, but first I would like to digress a bit on this past week. So please bare with me.
Have you ever noticed how life sometimes throws us “curve balls”?
I know that every time this happens in my life I am constantly amazed on how God works. Then, when I take time to look in the rear-view mirror, I see how He was working when I didn’t see it…we see life through a narrow lens, where God sees through a wide angle lens, and I am so thankful for His guidance even when I don’t see it. The verse that came to mind when I was recalling the past few days is John 20:29 ” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”” Lord help each of us to trust when we don’t see!
You might be wondering why I am sharing this with you today…the answer is simple for me. I used to be a “stuffer”. I would not talk, I would stuff everything and not let anyone into my life. But Jesus has done a miracle in my life, and I want more than anything to see each of you get to know Jesus in a real, authentic relationship. That is my heart’s desire that you will experience His redemptive power. Now I am a open book…sometimes that is good and other times probably not so much.
The story I want to tell you today is about the three crosses. Many of you are aware that there was two others (criminals) that were crucified with Him. But why was that? It was to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah. Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” Here was the Spotless Lamb being sacrificed for the sins of all humanity between two criminals. Those two criminals though, provide an insight into human nature. You see, one of them was hurling insults at Christ as were many others at the crucifixion. 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!” This, I believe is symbolic of the human nature of rebellion. It is born in us, it is called the sin nature and the only way out of this nature is Christ’s grace and redemptive power. Now the other criminal did not hurl insults at Christ, but responded in the opposite manner.
Luke 23:40-42 ” 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!”
Wow, what a stark contrast in the two individuals that were dying. Here we see the other side of human nature. This is symbolic of (repentance) a repentive heart. He understood who he was and what he was (sinner) and through God’s grace he acknowledged who Christ was and asked for forgiveness. Jesus response was redemption, Luke 23:43 “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
You see those three crosses that we see in so many pictures are a symbolic message of rebellion, repentance, and redemption. Only Christ saving grace has the redemptive power to save us. John 14:6 ” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”” It is only Jesus that can save us, not our merits, not how good we are, not our works, not the status that we perceive we have, only by His grace through faith in Him are we saved.
He is the only answer to the curve balls that life throws at us. He is the answer to whatever you are going through. It doesn’t matter where you are at, what you have done. He is waiting with open arms for you. I am so thankful for the grace and mercy He has shown me and continues to show me every day of my life. He is my strength, my all and all. It is my heart’s desire that He will be that for you…I promise you will not be disappointed if you surrender your life to the One that gave His life for you. His word says He will never desert you, nor forsake you.
He is worth everything to me!
Thank you for reading this today and it is my hope and prayer that you will feel His redemptive power in your life.
Happy Easter and God Bless,
Rick