Three Crosses

1
Three Crosses

• And with him they crucify two robbers one on his
  right hand, and one on his left
• Mark 1527

2
Three Crosses at Calvary

• Jesus was not crucified alone, but with two
  criminals (Mt. 2738 Mk. 1527 Lk. 2333 Jn.
  1918)
• This was not an accident, but in fulfillment of
  Isaiah 5312 (Lk. 2237 Mk. 1528
  KJV)
• The cross of Jesus was in the middle of the other
  two crosses (Jn. 1918). The cross of Jesus is
  the center of all of Gods plan to save mankind.
  On either side of Jesus stood two contrasting
  approaches to sin.

3
One Man Died IN Sin

• One of the thieves died not believing Jesus
• He thought mainly of himself
• He railed Are you not the Christ? (Lk. 2339
  see also Mt. 2744 Mt. 1532 note the imperfect
  tense, the repeated railing)
• A foolish way to die (Heb. 927 1026-27)

4
One Man Died TO Sin

• One of the thieves died believing in Jesus
• He thought mainly of Jesus
• He rebuked the evildoer, he feared God, he
  acknowledge his own guilt, he accepted Jesus
  innocence and Jesus Kingship, he believed in
  life after death (Lk. 2340-42 note the change
  of the comma in the NWT in verse 43)
• He repented and was rewarded (Lk. 2343)

5
One Man Died FOR Sin

• One man, Jesus, died for the sins of world
• He thought mainly of others
• Jesus our God/Man died for sin (Rom. 58 83
  2 Cor. 521 Heb. 1012 1 Pet. 224 318)

6
Three Crosses
The Cross of Rebellion The Cross of Redemption
The Cross of Repentance Robber 1 Jesus in
the Middle Robber 2
7
How Will You Die?

• Jesus has died FOR your sin
• Will you rebel and die IN sin (Jn. 821,24)?
• Will you repent and die TO sin (Rom. 62-11)?

8
How Will You Be Raised?

• Jesus was raised three days later
• The thief who rebelled will be raised to
  everlasting judgment (Rom. 25)
• The thief who repented will be raised to
  everlasting life (Rom. 27)