There were three crosses on Calvary's hill. On one was a man dying in sin—he did not accept Jesus. On another was a man dying to sin—he trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord (Luke 23:40-43). And on the middle cross was One dying for sin. He could die for others because He was God's Son and had no sin of His own. The center cross made all the difference for those two men hanging beside Jesus—the difference between an eternal hell and an eternal heaven.

The whole world is represented by those two thieves and their response to the Lord Jesus. I see in the three crucified individuals a picture of the sinner, the saint, and the Savior.

A man was asked to receive Christ but put it off by saying, "Oh, don't bother me now. There is always the eleventh hour. Remember the dying thief." He was shocked when the persistent Christian said pointedly, "Which thief? Remember, there were two!" The man responded, "That's right. I had forgotten that. I meant the saved one!" That very night he decided to trust Jesus for his salvation.

Look in faith now to that One in heaven who once hung on the middle cross. You too will hear His word of forgiveness and hope.  — Henry G. Bosch