"The Three Crosses"

Picture in your minds three crosses on a hillside just outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
1... We will call the cross on the left the cross of rejection since the one on that cross was
unrepentant unto death.
2... We will call the cross on the right the cross of reception since the one on it repented of his
sins and trusted Jesus for his salvation.
3... We will call the center cross the cross of revelation since the Man who died on that cross
allowed us to see ourselves for what we really are. We will call it the cross of revelation.
What does the cross reveal?
1... The cross reveals the intensity of God's love.
2... We find in (John 3:16-17) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Vs17) For God sent
not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3... The cross answers the questions; how far would God go to redeem mankind. The cross would
answer all the way. For God ''SO.'' loved.
The Cross reveals the means of salvation:
1... (John 3:14-15) says, ''As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son
of man be lifted up; that whoever believes may have eternal life.''
2... ''There is one mediator between man and God, the man Christ Jesus.''
The Cross reveals the motive for service:
1... We find in (2 Cor. 5:15), ''And he died for all, that they who live should no longer live for
themselves, but for him who died and rose again on their behalf.''
2... Why do I preach the gospel? Because He died on the cross for me.
3... Why do I attend church regularly? Because He died to save me.
4... Why do I witness to others about this good news? Because he died to save me.
5... We all need to be motivated.
The Cross reveals the melody of Heaven:
1... We find in (Rev 5:9) that they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
(Have you surveyed the wondrous cross of revelation? It reveals the intensity of God's love, the
measure of man's sin, the means of salvation, the motive for service, and the melody of heaven).
What we should see when we see the cross:
1... The cross of Christ tells us that substitution was made. As the story of Abraham and Isaac
and the substitute ram for sacrifice foreshadowed the cross. Jesus Christ was sent by God to be a
substitute for me. He took my punishment and death. This is what we should see when we look
at the cross.
2... The cross of Christ tells us that atonement was made. The story of the cross has its roots in
the Old Testament, When the high priest went into the Most Holy Place once each year, he
brought the blood of an animal to the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant. However, the blood

of animals could not accomplish this great work; it remained for the blood of Christ to do it.
When Jesus appeared before the throne of God with His own blood, God accepted this as atoning
for the sins of the world. Atonement for sin has been made, and I should see this when I see the
cross.
3... The cross of Christ tells us that reconciliation was made. Since atonement was made by the
sacrifice on the cross, it was possible for God to invite man back into a saved relationship. Paul
said "be ye reconciled unto God" (2 Cor. 5:18-20). I should see this when I see the cross.
4... The cross of Christ tells us that fellowship with God is possible. If we reject reconciliaiton,
we reject the peace with God that forgiveness brings. If we accept the cross, we may enter into a
relationship with God. I should see this when I see the cross.
5... The cross of Christ tells us that I must become dead to the world and alive to God. For if we
have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rom. 6:2-6).
6... The cross that Jesus bore was that of "obedience unto death, yea, the death of the cross"
(Phil. 2:8). Our Lord said, "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not
worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall
find it" (Mt. 10:38,39). If we understand this, we can understand the cross of Christ.
Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Arent you the Messiah? Save
yourself and us!
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. Dont you fear God, he said, since you are under
the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done
nothing wrong.
42 Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
1... Paul said in (1 Cor 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (There is no power with God without the cross).
Resurrection power came after the cross.
2... We find in (Matt 27:38) that it says, Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on
the right hand, and another on the left.
3... In this message we will focus on each cross and what it means to us today.
Three Crosses:
1... According to (Matthew 27:38), there were three crosses on Calvary when Jesus was
crucified. The picture that we see is this, three crosses, Christ in the middle, and two thieves, one
on each side representing the two conditions of mankind.
3... The cross in the middle held the Saviour; the cross on the right, a saint (saved); the cross on
the left held a lost sinner. In fact, the man on the right received Christ and the one on the left
rejected. Which cross represents you?
4... Jesus died for sin and was resurrected. The man on the right received Christ and went to
heaven. (Jesus said this day thy shalt be with me in Paradise). The sinner on the left died and
went to hell.
Grace of God:
(The three crosses represent the GRACE OF GOD).
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

KJV
1... Christ was in the middle dying for both the sinners. (Both were guilty, but both were given
the opportunity to except grace).
2... The thief on the left had the same opportunity as the one on the right. You do not have to get
saved...(God has given you free will). God will let you make the horrible choice and pay the
price. The man on the left only wanted his life saved, not his soul. (The same grace was offered
to both).
3... The one on the right said, Lord remember me. (He found the grace of God).
Plan of Salvation:
(The three crosses represent the wonderful PLAN OF SALVATION).
1... Christ died on the middle cross FOR SIN; the man on the right DIED TO SIN; the man on
the left DIED IN HIS SIN.
2... On the middle cross, GOD COMES TO MAN; on the right cross MAN COMES TO GOD;
on the left cross MAN GOES TO HELL.
Man's Reactions to God:
(The three crosses represent mankind's reaction to God).
1... Jesus on the middle cross represents God loving, suffering, substituting, giving, forgiving,
paying and offering.
2... The cross on the left represents man refusing, denying, unbelieving, and unwilling.
SCOFFING.
3... The cross on the right represents man repenting, believing, responding, confessing, receiving,
and accepting Christ.
4... The question to be answered by all is, WHICH CROSS REPRESENTS YOU?
The Cross of Redemption.
1... Redeem means to "buy back."
Jesus buys back from the slave market of sin, from eternal damnation in a lake of fire all those
who call upon Him to save them.
2... The Bible tells us concerning Jesus redeeming work on the cross. Rom. 3:24 "Being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
3... (Gal. 3:13) tells us, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law."
4... Lets notice Jesus response to thief on the Cross of Reception - (Vs43) "And Jesus said unto
him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Conclusion:
As I conclude this morning, let me ask you, which side of that cross of redemption are you on?
Your eternity is counting on it!
Rejection or Reception.