Three men. Three crosses. Three crucifixions. But only One who died and rose again. So why three?
The age-old story of death and resurrection would have been just as powerful if Jesus had been alone, hanging on one single cross. The other men did not change the outcome of His story. It wouldn’t seem that they could change the outcome of our story… but maybe they should.
The fact is that there were three men. Three men who hung on three crosses, who died three incredibly painful deaths. And because I believe that the Lord is sovereign, intentional in all He does, the two “extra” crosses must serve a purpose. And it leaves me wondering, what did the Lord hope we would learn from the three crosses and the men who hung there?
In each of the four gospels, we find that after Jesus is sentenced to death, he carries his cross to the place called “The Skull,” or Golgotha in Hebrew. Once he is nailed to the cross, we discover that he will not be crucified alone. Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 tell us that “Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.” Luke 23:32-33 says, “Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified-one on his right and one on his left.” These three accounts are almost identical in their wording. John paints a little different picture as he tells us this:
“Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.” (John 19:17-18, italics added)
There are three men crucified in each account. Four different accounts describe the same scene. But John’s account seems to be more personal. These men weren’t alone—Jesus was between them. He was bridging the gap, even then, as he does for us today. But who were these men that He should spend His last hours in their midst?
We know from the gospel accounts that the men who were crucified with Jesus were “revolutionaries,” ”criminals,” men who were a menace to society. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he shocked the religious crowd by interacting with sinners, so it is only fitting that He would leave this world between two of the worst by the world’s standards. But these men represented so much more than that.
Luke gives us the most insight into their hearts and minds in as he records the interaction with Jesus in their last hours:
“One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us too, while you’re at it!’ But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’” (Luke 23:39-42)
Y’all, throughout Jesus’ ministry, he met two kinds of people. Two kinds of people still exist today: those who believe and those who say “prove it” over and over again. These men represent each of them. The believer and the doubter. The one who walks by faith and the one who will only walk by sight. Two sinners, but only one who will admit that he needs a Savior. So if God is good and wants all to repent, why was there only one who was willing?
Pride is a funny thing. It seems to affect some more than others. Some to different degrees in different seasons of life. Many times, it diminishes with age and life experience, but not always. So it isn’t surprising that we should see it pop up in this story as we have in so many others throughout the Bible: Pharoah refusing to let the Egyptians go, Saul chasing after David, Jonah running in the opposite direction of the Lord, or the elder brother refusing to welcome the Prodigal Son home.
In each of those stories, the Lord brings the rebel to his knees in one way or another. And in this story, unfortunately, it is no different. We see a man who, even in his last moments, refuses to recognize his own sin before the Lord… the Savior who has proven Himself… over and over. Yet this criminal’s hardened heart would not let him see Jesus for who He was. And it appears that it was too late. I cannot imagine how it grieved the Lord’s heart at that moment.
The “other criminal,” however, recognized that he deserved to die for his crimes…for the choices he had made. And mercifully, he had one choice left. He said, “Jesus, remember me...” Remember me. You can feel the longing in his words, hoping with all of his might that Jesus will not forget his “broken, contrite heart” in those last moments. He chose wisely. He came humbly. And it would not be taken away from Him. For Jesus told him, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
The truth, my friends, is that we all have a choice to make: life or death. But this decision is nothing new.
Thousands of years ago, Moses pleaded with the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, saying:
“Today, I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
So, it all comes down to this. God, in His grace and mercy, allowed two men, sinners of the worst kind, to share the spotlight with His Son on that dark day. Not by accident, or by chance, but intentionally for you and for me. In those last moments, as His Son was in agony on that cross, He reminded us that we all have a decision to make… even until the final minute of life on this Earth, to choose Him.
He doesn’t want to leave “the one” behind. And we all are that one! He knows every hair on our heads, every tear we cry, and He longs for us to come to Him. You might have the opportunity to wait until the last minute…but you may not. Don’t take that chance, my friends. Don’t allow your heart to get so hardened by the people and things of this world that you lose sight of Love in its purest form.
Choose life so that you may live… not just in eternity… but in God’s fullness for you here on Earth! Love the Lord your God, obey Him, and commit yourself firmly to Him. And the next time you see those three crosses, thank the Lord for His grace, mercy, and incredible love. Then pray for boldness to share the story of those three crosses with those around you and point them to Him.
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Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:
What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start?
What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday?
What is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?
What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday?
Easter Bible Verses
The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Prayers