The Three Crosses (Gospel Tract - Packet of 100 - NKJV)
FROM THE FULL TEXT:
The Three Crosses
"They took Jesus and ... crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center." (John 19:16-18)
On a dark day over 2000 years ago, three men died on three crosses on a hillside near Jerusalem. You may have heard about Jesus dying on the center cross, but have you ever wondered why there were three crosses that day? What about the other two people?
The Cross of Rejection
"One of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.'" (Luke 23:39)
The first cross held a criminal who remained hardened in sin. Even in the final hours of life, this man showed no remorse for his actions and blasphemed the Lord with his words. In this cross we have a picture of all who reject the salvation offered by God through His Son. Just like the unrepentant thief, we are condemned to death because of our sin. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). God sent His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins. All who reject Jesus Christ will die in their sins and spend eternity under God's judgment in the Lake of Fire.
The Cross of Repentance
"But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying ... 'We receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:40-43)
On the second cross we find a thief who admitted that his actions were wrong and tha...