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"Carrying his own cross,
he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called
Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others-one
on each side and Jesus in the middle."
-John 19: 17-18
Three Crosses
On our return from a family vacation
in Florida this summer we drove up interstate 77 through Virginia,
West Virginia, and into Ohio. Along that highway every 20-30 miles
you can spot 3 crosses placed in various spots. Some were right
near the side of the road and others were set back up on the side
of mountains. We made it a game to see which kid could spot the
crosses first. I don't know which church organization placed those
crosses there but they did make me think about Jesus and His cross.
Jesus was not crucified alone. There were two other men executed
along side Him (see John 19: 17-18 above Luke 23: 32-33
below). Three crosses on the place called the Skull. To me this
is symbolic of the choice we have as people. Which cross or you
going to choose?
On one side of Jesus there is the criminal who joined in hurling
insults at the Lord. "One of the criminals who hung there
hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and
us!" (Luke 23: 39) We can choose to deny Christ. We can
join the crowd and mock Him. It is sad to think that there are many
who live there life in this way. "But the other criminal
rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God', he said, 'since you are under
the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what
our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.' Then he
said, 'Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.' "
(Luke 23: 40-42) The other criminal turned back to the Lord.
He had lived his life, not thinking about the consequences of his
actions, until the very end. But in the end he realized that his
only hope was Jesus. We are free to choose this cross as well but
there is a risk. Do you know when your last day is? Can you be sure
that once you choose the world you will want to come back?
Then there is the third cross. The cross of Jesus. This cross holds
the promise of salvation. "Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven given by men by which
we must be saved." (Acts 4: 12) Salvation is a gift from
God that cannot be earned but with salvation comes responsibility.
Jesus challenges us to follow Him. "Then he said to them
all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take
up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9: 23) We are
called to live to a higher standard. To give up ourselves and to
choose to serve God. Being an example and leading others to Him.
There were 3 crosses on that hill the day Jesus died. We are free
to choose which one we will follow. I pray that we will choose wisely
and trust in the cross of our Lord!
I pray that things are well with you. Please let me know if you
have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a good week and remember
to smile :), the Lord loves you!
In Christ,
Shan D. Hartsough
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