The Three Crosses: Three Kinds of Humanity

On the hill called Golgotha stood three crosses, but they represented far more than three executions. They portrayed the entire story of humanity in relation to God. Every person who has ever lived is reflected in one of those crosses, while the center cross reveals God's answer to the human condition.

The first cross represents the rebellious sinner. The criminal hanging there acknowledged neither his guilt nor Christ's lordship. Even in the face of death, he mocked the only One who could save him. He died in sin, still under its guilt, power, and condemnation. His cross is the picture of humanity that rejects God's grace, choosing unbelief over faith. Though physically closest to Jesus, he remained spiritually distant because proximity to Christ is never a substitute for trusting Christ.

The second cross represents the repentant sinner. This criminal began where every sinner must begin with an honest confession of guilt. He recognized Jesus' innocence, believed in His coming Kingdom, and entrusted his eternal destiny to Him with the simple plea, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." He died to sin by placing his faith in the One who would bear his judgment. Though he could perform no good works, attend no synagogue, or make restitution for his past, he received salvation solely through faith in Christ. His cross reminds us that salvation is not earned by human effort but received through humble trust in the crucified Savior.

The center cross stands alone because it belongs to the sinless Savior. Unlike the two criminals, Jesus suffered not for His own transgressions but for the sins of the world. He alone could ldie for sin because He alone was without sin. On that cross, divine justice and divine mercy met. The punishment humanity deserved fell upon Christ so that those who believe in Him might receive the righteousness they could never achieve on their own. The cross of Christ is therefore not merely another cross among three; it is the only cross that redeems.

Together, these three crosses summarize the gospel. One man died in sin because he rejected Christ. One man died to sin because he believed in Christ. Christ Himself died for sin so that sinners might be reconciled to God. The difference between the two criminals was not the severity of their crimes but their response to the Savior between them. The same Jesus was available to both, yet only one received the gift of eternal life.

The three crosses therefore present every generation with the same question: Which cross represents you? Every person is either still dying in sin through unbelief or has died to sin through faith in Christ. Yet neither reality is possible without the One who died for sin. The center cross is the dividing line of history and eternity, for every human destiny is determined by one's response to the crucified and risen Lord.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:21

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