03/04/2026
THE THREE CROSSES OF CALVARY:
ONE SAVED, ONE LOST, ONE SAVIOR
โTHREE CROSSES STOOD ON CALVARYโ
But only one man entered paradise that day.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was crucified between two criminals. This was not randomโit fulfilled prophecy and revealed a powerful truth about salvation.
โTwo other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executedโฆ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Himโฆ But the other criminal rebuked himโฆ Then he said, โJesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.โ Jesus answered him, โTruly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.โโ
โ Luke 23:32, 39โ43 (NIV)
THE TWO RESPONSES TO JESUS
These two men represent two eternal responses:
-One rejected Him, even in suffering
-One acknowledged Him as King and asked for mercy
Both were guilty.
Both were near Jesus.
But only one believed.
-Being close to sacred things does not replace personal faith.
-A hardened heart can resist God even in moments of pain.
-A humble heart can find God even at the edge of death.
WHO WERE THEY?
The Bible does not record their names. They are simply described as criminals under Roman judgement.
Later Christian tradition refers to them as:
-Dismas โ the repentant thief
-Gestas โ the unrepentant thief
These names are not found in Scripture but appear in historical writings.
THE REVELATION OF THE CROSS
1. SALVATION IS BY GRACE, NOT WORKS
The repentant thief had no time to perform good works, restore what he had stolen, or live a changed life outwardly. Yet, by faith alone, he received eternal life.
Salvation is a gift given, not a wage earned (Ephesians 2:8โ9).
-God looks at the sincerity of the heart, not the length of time.
-One genuine encounter with Christ can change an eternal destiny.
2. TRUE FAITH RECOGNIZES JESUS AS KING
The repentant thief said, โremember me when You come into Your kingdom.โ
-He saw royalty in a rejected Savior.
-Faith perceives what the natural eye cannot see.
-Honor for
