Which cross do you choose?

Today is Good Friday, the day Christians remember the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. In our hustle and bustle worlds, we try to appreciate the meaning of what he did, and absorb the weight of the suffering he endured.

The suffering was intense, unbearable. Lashes with leather entwined with sharp bones. Piercing thorns pressed into the skull. Punches in the face. Being struck with a staff. Bearing the weight of the cross on his bloody back while walking through town, up a hill. Thick, iron nails pounded into hands and feet. The impact of the heavy cross being dropped into a hole. The intense suffering just trying to breathe.

And the immense weight of our sins - past, present and future - being placed upon him by God...

You've certainly heard the phrase "the best laid plans..." As the plan to crucify Jesus was being formulated, it was not only important for Jesus to suffer, but to be ridiculed. His ministry had to be discredited. So, instead of simply hanging Jesus by himself, on each side of him would hang a common criminal. Jesus the blasphemer surrounded by thieves. An apt ending to his life.

But plans don't always turn out as intended. For, within this scene is a different perspective. Jesus is hanging on the cross bearing our sins. Suffering incredibly, thirsting, barely able to breathe, unable to hold his head up.

On one side, a criminal mocks him. "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself..." You can almost hear the glee in his voice.

On the other side was the other thief, but he was different. He chided the other saying, "Don't you fear God?" He told him they were getting what they deserved, but "this man has done nothing wrong." And then, realizing he too bore responsibility for Jesus hanging there, along with the priests, Pilate, and everybody else, he made a final request. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

I see a picture different than what was intended. I see Jesus not between two common thieves, but between two choices, a choice each of us HAS to make. On one side is arrogance, mocking, pride, unbelief. On the other is repentance, guilt, humility, belief. On one side is death. On the other life. Jesus paid no attention to the first thief. He didn't acknowledge him in any way. To the other, Jesus turned and said "today you will be with me in paradise." Even repentance while on the cross was good enough for Jesus. With Jesus it's never too late.

It's your choice, and it's a choice you have to make. (BTW, indecision is still a choice.) You can be prideful and arrogant, and hang with the first thief. Dead.

Or, you can choose to be humble, repentant and filled with the love of Jesus, accepting the sacrifice he made on your behalf...and live....in paradise...for eternity.