Read
32Two criminals were led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.
39One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”
40But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don't you fear God? Aren't you getting the same punishment as this man? 41We got what was coming to us, but he didn't do anything wrong.” 42Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!”
43Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”
Reflect
On the first Good Friday three crosses with a man fixed to each jutted out of the rock of the Skull. These were racked with pain as they hung dying between heaven and earth. A closer look, however, reveals that they were three very different men dying in three distinct ways. One was dying in sin, one was dying to sin, and the other was dying for sin. The first two were revolutionaries whose experience tells the ultimate story of the human race. Either we die in our sins, or we die to our sins – there is no third option. The one in the middle is in a completely different category.
His name is Jesus, and although he was sentenced to die, his death is distinct from the others in important ways. First, he was condemned for crimes he had not done. Second, his death was tied to human sin and rebellion. He died for sin – not his own – but for the sins of human beings that were laid on him so that he became responsible for them as if they were his own. Third, his death paid the penalty for those sins in full so that those who believe in him are delivered from sin`s penalty and power. His death was powerfully efficacious and it provided atonement for sins committed by a world of sinners who had gone astray.
The man who continued to insult Jesus died in his sin because he failed to see who Jesus really was. The man who changed his mind and looked in faith died to his sin because he received God`s grace extended to him in Christ. Three crosses, three men, and three results that capture the essence of Good Friday for us all
Respond
Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son to die in my place. I was blind to who you are and to my own need until you graciously opened my eyes. Now I want to live for you the rest of my days to the praise of your grace. Amen.
Kirk Wellum
Kirk Wellum is the Principal of Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College where he also teaches Systematic Theology and Pastoral Theology. Before coming to TBS in 2006 he served as a pastor for a total of 24 years in three churches in Southern Ontario, but primarily at Sovereign Grace Community Church in Sarnia where he was the founding pastor. He has written numerous articles for a variety of Christian magazines and has contributed chapters to a number of books. He speaks at conferences in Canada and the United States, as well as in other parts of the world. Kirk is married to Debbie and they have four children.