Three Crosses – Three Hearts

Have you ever wondered why God permanently placed the picture of Calvary in our hearts? Three crosses, three hearts, two choices. One, of course, is the cross of Jesus, the heart of God, which is the cross in the center; the other two represents sinners, the ones who have fallen short of the glory of God, hearts of wrong-doing or evil. In other words, us.

Heart of Jesus

Luke 23:27-42 (NKJV)

(v.27) And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. (v.28) But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (v.29) For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed! (v.30) Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”  (v.31) For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

Hearts of Rejection

(v.32) There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. (v.33) And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. (v.34) Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“And they divided His garments and cast lots. (v.35) And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

(v.36) The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, (v.37) and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

(v.38) And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(v.39) Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

Hearts of Redemption

(v.40) But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? (v.41) And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” (v.42) Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

(v.43) And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Both Men

Both of these men deserved their punishment. There was nothing these men could do to change their circumstances. Both of these men hung at arm’s length from each other, at arm’s length from Jesus our Savior. Forever embedded in our minds as three crosses, three hearts, and two choices.

These men had a choice to change their hearts, these men had a chance at redemption. But, instead, there they hung. There were no “works,” no deeds, nothing they could do but repent in their hearts and die this horrible death.

One Man

One man rejected Christ, and one man accepted Christ. One man is doomed not only on this Earth but also doomed to an eternity in Hell. The other man changed his heart and repented to our Lord and Savior. This man, who feared and respected God if only at the last minute, was redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ as that blood was being shed.

This criminal, who deserved damnation, was the first blood-bought soul of Jesus Christ. This man could do nothing but accept Jesus and change his heart to God.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ didn’t act with anger but with love. This was demonstrated in Luke ch.15. The prodigal son left his father and treated him as if he were dead. This child eventually realized his sins against his father and humbly returned home. How did his father react? Not with disdain but with joy and forgiveness, just as Jesus did on the cross.

We all have fallen short of the glory of God. Even the most perfect person you know has sinned to some degree and needs to confess their sin to Christ and ask for forgiveness.

Three Crosses – Three Hearts – Your Heart

This is why we need to leave judgment to Jesus Christ.    He is the only one qualified to see inside a person’s heart. Jesus is the only person ever to walk the face of this Earth and live a sinless life. The punishment Jesus took on that cross paid for the crimes of the sinner that hung with Him. (Just as Jesus, our sacrificial Lamb of God, paid for our sins.) All he had to do, all he could do, was change his heart and accept Jesus as his savior.

He Paid The Price

Three days after Christ’s crucifixion, Jesus rose from the grave. The Son of God defeated death and defeated Satan’s plans to steal every soul from God. However, our existence in this world is temporary. Where our soul goes after this life depends solely on our heart for Jesus, our love for God. Jesus paid your price.

Jesus served your sentence. The Holy Lamb of God was slain to atone for your sin.

True sincere acceptance of your savior allows you into Heaven with Him. Faith is the key, not works. Now works for God by faith is a good thing, and you are doing the will of the Father as the body of Christ. However, without faith in Jesus Christ, works are not enough. This man, this criminal, had no time to do anything but spend his last few minutes with Jesus worshipping Him in his heart.

Where is your heart? How do you feel about God, about Jesus Christ? Please be honest with yourself. If you’re not sure, it’s ok He understands. Have enough faith to ask Jesus for help. Believe in Him. He gave His life for you so you could be saved from darkness. One chose rejection, and one chose eternal life and salvation. Which one are you? Jesus gave His heart to you. Would you please receive it and offer your heart back to God.