Three Crosses

[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to the Jesus and a Cup of Joe podcast. The show that brings you a conversation about Jesus, the Bible and life Here is your host Royce Bottoms

[00:00:30] We get to read where the tomb is empty, the stone is rolled away and he's sitting at the right hand of the father and he's making a way for you and I. Also, I get to celebrate my 24th year in the ministry which is something I'm very excited and proud and humble to do. It's hard to believe it's been 24 years but I plan on doing a good Friday or Easter special and about a week or so so look forward to that. But today I want to shift my focus on something.

[00:00:59] I'm not taking anything away from Jesus. I really want to keep Jesus in a spotlight because that's where I believe he needs to be 24-7 especially in this world of darkness but I want to look at something that I've always been curious about.

[00:01:14] I want to look at the two men that hung on either side of Jesus. These two thieves. I want to look at them because I believe that there's lessons to learn from reading the gospels. I believe the authors of these gospels had a reason to put this in the scriptures and we know that anything that has to do with Jesus, there's a plan and a purpose for it and it's something that we should always take to heart.

[00:01:43] So let's look at these two men. Their interactions with Jesus and what it means to us. On this good Friday we see three crosses on the hill of Gilgotha. Jesus hung in the middle of these crosses and he was willing to take the punishment that we deserved.

[00:02:01] And on the other two crosses hung two thieves, cadimmed to die for their own crimes. Three crosses and three men. Two needed salvation but only one could provide it.

[00:02:11] We don't often look at these men who were crucified with Jesus. We know that they were criminals, we know that they hung on the left and right side of Jesus. After all they were cadimmed and this condemnation was just.

[00:02:27] Although the Bible doesn't tell us much about them but we could learn a lot from them.

[00:02:32] The words in the scriptures used to describe these men. To us gives us inside on who they were.

[00:02:39] All right, the two different Greek words that are used in the gospels to describe can be translated into thees or robbers or criminals or rebels.

[00:02:48] The Greek word that was used by Matthew and Mark includes the idea of plundering or violence but Luke's word suggests that these people were evil doers.

[00:02:58] These two men were violent, they were hardened criminals who Rome considered a threat to their control. Executinum by crucifixion served as a sober reminder to all of the citizens if you break the Roman law this is the penalty you'll suffer.

[00:03:15] But understand that this was only used in slaves and lower classes because the upper class was treated differently.

[00:03:24] So in the four gospels we see these these Matthew, Mark and John only tells us that they were crucified along with Jesus but only Luke records the interactions between the criminals and Jesus.

[00:03:37] And since we don't know their names we can sit there and maybe call them arrogance or humble give them different names.

[00:03:45] All right, but let's really look at this by the law these two men deserve their fate and their sins earn them a physical death and eternal spiritual penalty.

[00:03:59] See Jesus did not deserve the penalty that he received but he hung there in the middle just as the prophet Isaiah foretold just as the father promised.

[00:04:10] Isaiah 5312 therefore I will divide him a portion with many and he shall divide the spoils with the strong because he poured out his soul to the death and he was numbered for his transgressors yet he bore the sins of many and made intersections for those who were transgressors.

[00:04:31] So basically Jesus went to the cross for you and I he didn't deserve to go to the cross. He did nothing wrong it was an innocent man he was a man without sin but he went to the cross for you and I he paid that price that price for sin in our lives is death.

[00:04:53] If you look at it into the book of Romans the wages of sin is death in Jesus paid for it. So we know that these two men that hung beside Jesus they were violent.

[00:05:06] They lived to steal and kill and destroy and they also lived their lives in my opinion to further Satan's purpose.

[00:05:16] In contrast Jesus came to provide a full and abundant life to those who would receive it and see there is one of the keys to look at for those who would receive it.

[00:05:29] Jesus tells us in the scriptures in John 10 9 and 10 I am the door if anyone enters to me I shall he shall be saved and will go out and find pastors the fees only come to steal and kill and destroy but I come to have life and have it abundantly.

[00:05:47] So what Jesus does he offers to the thieves an opportunity that he also offers us.

[00:05:57] Jesus offered abundant life to all even to these two thieves but see the the hard one the arrogant one the one that pretty much could spit in Jesus face if he could he outright rejects it.

[00:06:14] His response reflects the crowd the soldiers and the Jewish leaders that are gathered around the foot of Jesus in just like them he suffers from spiritual blindness.

[00:06:26] He failed to see the truth that was hanging in front of him I mean we can we can take a 30 thousand foot view of this even today thousands of years later we can sit there

[00:06:43] and we can armchair quarterback all right we could do that.

[00:06:50] But I'm sitting here when I've read these scriptures and when I've studied only scriptures and I've prayed I'm wondering what was it that this thief didn't want to do because he did want to accept Jesus's offer.

[00:07:05] He didn't want to accept salvation because he had a he had a mission I believe that he needed to do for the devil himself.

[00:07:13] But I couldn't imagine number one being crucified I think that would be a very painful death but to know that the Savior was right beside me the entire time.

[00:07:27] So when we look at the one that that accepts the humble one he gladly accepts the life that Jesus offers.

[00:07:35] He acknowledges his sin he recognizes the power and authority of Jesus and he asks Jesus to receive him as a citizen in his kingdom.

[00:07:43] Jesus extends his mercy and grace to this thief.

[00:07:48] Jesus promises him that his physical death will be welcomed into paradise an eternal dwelling for the righteous his violent and criminal ways will be wiped clean and he will be new in Christ.

[00:08:04] We can see what Jesus is talking about with something called the Romans road to salvation of where Jesus is where the scriptures are talking about Jesus in the book of Romans on how to accept Jesus and how to be saved.

[00:08:21] So the lessons to be learned by these thieves what is it these two themes are just to receive their punishment for their crimes.

[00:08:33] But the one that's hanging in the middle the man that's in the middle the man who is spotless who is sinless is hanging there.

[00:08:44] All right we deserve an internal death ladies and gentlemen just like these two thieves everyone who lives in sin as a sinner and deserves death.

[00:08:56] None is righteous not one no one understands no one seeks God Romans 3 10 and 11 no matter how society judges with the severity of our sins compared to the holiness of God we are all violent hardened criminals our sins earn us the death penalty.

[00:09:18] Roman 6 23 just like I just shared with you I'm a shared again for the wages of sin is death.

[00:09:27] See when you when you stack us up when you take anybody you stack them up against Jesus you stack them up against God and you're comparing we do not even fit in the same category.

[00:09:40] We are lower than anything else because of the sin that's been in our lives.

[00:09:46] The sins been in our lives ever since Adam and Eve that's when sin first entered the world and every since then we have been sinners that are saved by the grace and the mercy of the Lord.

[00:10:01] The thief that accepted Jesus was securely nailed to that cross he couldn't do anything he couldn't walk down the aisle to be baptized he couldn't join a church he couldn't do any of this.

[00:10:15] All it could do is receive Jesus gift of eternal life and humble he came with the empty hand and repentance in the believing heart.

[00:10:26] Ephesians 2 8 9 it says for by grace you have been given a been given saved through faith it is not of your own doing it's a gift of God not the results of your work so that no man may boast.

[00:10:43] We've been given a gift we all are given this gift of salvation it's up to us whether we want to accept it no matter how bad this is.

[00:10:55] The sin was it was never beyond the grace of God he was willing to suffer for the most brutal of death so he could cover us he could cover our sins.

[00:11:09] Jesus dies for every sinner he died for every sinner that there ever was is or going to be that's what Jesus did he paid the price.

[00:11:22] And we should be reminded of this daily that what we have received through the Lord Jesus Christ we do not deserve it's only through his love and his mercy and his grace that we're able to fill the love of Jesus.

[00:11:43] Romans 5 8 but God demonstrated his own love for us while we were sinners Christ died for us.

[00:11:52] The arrogant thief the one that that turned Jesus down was mocking Jesus and was telling him to save himself and he was telling them said look if you are the Messiah if you are truly the one why are you here why are you not getting off the cross why are you not doing something different can you not save yourself but yet you want to save us.

[00:12:19] See remember Jesus could easily summon angels to come to his aid but in saving himself humanity would have had no hope no eternity only by staying on that cross could Jesus provide salvation he was the perfect substitute and sacrifice.

[00:12:43] His death paid our sin debt and this is why Jesus is the only way to salvation. See you have people in the world today that believes that they're good works and the things that they do I tithe money to the church oh I go help the needy none of that's going to get you salvation none of that's going to get you into heaven none of that is going to get you a relationship with Jesus only coming with a broken heart.

[00:13:13] In a contrite spirit and being humble and giving it over to Jesus can you have that relationship nothing else can bring you in a relationship with the Lord you have to come just as you are broken and come to the foot of the cross and make make yourself as humble as you can and just turn it over to Jesus

[00:13:41] and say Lord I cannot go no further without you I cannot do this without you and be willing to repent for your sins these two criminals these two criminals did not know exactly who was there with them one of them started to realize who he was the other one did not.

[00:14:11] The only two eternal destinations that we have is life with Jesus in heaven or eternal judgment and hell ladies and gentlemen there is no in between there is no sitting on the sidelines it's either heaven or hell you get a choice today where you want to spend eternity heaven or hell there is no other choices.

[00:14:33] Now we'll also say this your parents your girlfriend your spouse your grandparents your cousins your family your friends they cannot do anything for you they can't save you they cannot keep you from going to hell only a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the only way that you can enter into heaven.

[00:14:59] As Jesus says behold I stand at the door knock if any man opens I will come into him and dying with him we need to understand this we cannot sit on the fence anymore fail and to choose Jesus is choosing to reject him period everyone will choose and the choice directly affects our eternity

[00:15:27] the humble thief chose Jesus and chose life the arrogant thief rejected Jesus and chose eternal combination John 3 18 whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he have not believed in the name of God's only son.

[00:15:50] Ladies and gentlemen it's crystal clear it's in the scriptures it's been written down been recorded long ago and it still stands today if you do not have Jesus in your life you are condemned to hell period whatever your lifestyle is whatever the choices in your life you make whatever the dirty little secret you thank you got in the closet hidden from the world God sees it all he sees every bit of it and he sees our heart.

[00:16:21] And if you're suffering with something today if you are suffering with something you have an opportunity today to be just like that humble thief just like the one that accepted Jesus you have an opportunity because you know you are dead in your life through sin but Jesus offers you eternal life he offers you a clean slate he offers you an opportunity

[00:16:48] that doesn't cost you a thing that's already been paid for by the Lamb of God.

[00:16:56] The humble thief acknowledges his sin he believes in a testimony about Jesus Jesus is the king of the Jews he's the long expected Messiah humble he knew that Jesus kingdom was spiritual and eternal and not of this world he trusted Jesus with his eternity

[00:17:18] Luke 24 I'm sorry 23 42 Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom in Jesus confirms this when he says in Luke 23 43 truly I say to you today you will be with me in paradise these two thieves live similar lives on this earth but their eternal lives were very different now they're experiencing different results of their choices of their very last choice given to them

[00:17:48] this arrogant thief who rejected Jesus chose an eternal combination but the humble thief who accepted Jesus got the eternal life there's a choice for every person and every person will make a choice they will choose will they choose Jesus or will they choose hell

[00:18:16] that's the decision that they have to make see in the world today and I know you hear me talk about this a lot but in the world today the darkness is fell upon the land there are choices to be made even in the world today with all the things that we are seeing in front of us that is more prevalent than it then it's ever been

[00:18:44] the homosexuality the the transgenderism the different sex products and just sexual commercials and movies all of this stuff is in our face more and more which used to be in the closet is now in our face because society has accepted what they feel is normal

[00:19:10] so I would say we're no better than Sodom and Gomorrah and we deserve what Sodom and Gomorrah got which was destruction

[00:19:18] because remember see people always forget this God cannot see sin he cannot look at us as sinners because we are so filthy he can't look upon us that's why Jesus come to make away remember when I said this all started with Adam see what Adam and Eve did in the garden when they ate of the forbidden fruit

[00:19:39] when they were tempted by the serpent when it calls that division between man and God Jesus rectified on a cross

[00:19:50] do you know that Jesus built a bridge between God and man with two boards and three nails

[00:19:57] two boards and three nails he built a bridge for you and I he built and he made away for you and I to have that relationship with God through him

[00:20:10] I spoke about it earlier Jesus didn't have to stand on that cross he didn't have to be there he could have took himself off the cross

[00:20:17] matter of fact he could have stopped the entire trial he could have stopped everything dead in its tracks

[00:20:24] he could have just poured out harsh judgment right there on everybody

[00:20:29] but he was humble he was me he was like a lamb that was led to slaughter like it was mentioned by the prophets

[00:20:36] and he went and he died for you and I but see what a lot of people don't pay attention to

[00:20:43] well a lot of people don't really focus on is 2000 plus years later go to Israel see if that tomb holds a body

[00:20:57] now some people argue well you know Jesus is a great man he was a great prophet he was this he was that

[00:21:04] he is the son of God period he is the Lord and Savior period the ones that don't want to believe in him they will answer for it one day bottom line

[00:21:18] so what do you have to lose today do you want eternal life or do you want eternal damnation

[00:21:29] do you want to be the humble thief that wants to receive what Jesus is offering or do you want to be the arrogant thief

[00:21:38] that wants to reject him the choice is yours the choice is yours so as I wrap up today's episode as I get this one almost completed

[00:21:51] I want you to know you have a choice today you can choose Jesus or you can reject him but I hope and I pray that Jesus decided choosing today

[00:22:08] you really need Jesus in your life I promise you things get gets better with Jesus I promise you that all right so

[00:22:19] that's today's episode that is the the thought that was on my on my heart like I said I plan on bringing a

[00:22:25] an episode about good Friday or Easter probably in about a week or so because I typically try to do those every year

[00:22:35] because to me next to Christmas Easter is one of my most favorite times of the year I like to celebrate the birth of our Savior during Christmas

[00:22:43] and I love to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior I love to be able to lift Jesus up and just just thinking for everything that he's done he's doing or any will do

[00:22:54] all right so if you haven't had an opportunity I want to invite you all to go to the website Jesus in the cup of Joe.com

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[00:24:03] and I hope pray you guys have a fantastic week okay so if you ever need anything feel free to reach out you can reach out to me at Jesus in the cup of Joe at gmail.com

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[00:24:21] but as I get ready to get out of here it's real simple you always start today with Jesus in the cup of Joe God bless see you next time