Which Cross Will You Pick Up?

When we see the image of Calvary often times you will not only see the Cross of Christ but the crosses of the thieves who died beside Jesus.  In Luke 23 the discourse between the three records that while one thief challenged Jesus to save them the other thief rebukes him and turns to Jesus for help.  All three of them where under the same sentence of death but while Jesus died unjustly, the two thieves were being punished for their crimes.  The thieves are described as malefactors instead of just thieves.  Since Barabbas was to died for insurrection, it is possible to believe these two were part of the underground movement to rid Israel of the Romans.  These zealots would kill not only Romans, but are said to have also dealt with Jews who worked in unison with the gentile oppressors.  In Matthew 25 Jesus speaks of dividing the sheep on his right side to the goats on the left.  The goats on the left were banished into eternal fire along with Satan and his angels.  The sheep however are blessed and are invited into the kingdom planned for them since the creation.  In my mind then, I see the one thief on the left hand of Jesus spitting hatred to the crowd and rebuking Jesus to save them without thought of the accountability of his actions. I see the one on his right side, repentant and fully aware this punishement was because of their actions.  He knows there is no escape and that Jesus is dying an unjust death.  It is to this innocent man he turns and asks Jesus to remember him when he enters into the kingdom and Jesus grants his desire. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.   Matthew 16:24-25.  (NIV)

Every person will face the death of this body but some will face what is called the second death, the banishment into eternal punishment.  God arranged for his Son to face the consequences of our sins so we can enter into the kingdom.  Each of us will pick up a cross, but the question is: "Which one will you pick up?"  If you want to save you life like the thief on the left, not fearing God by refusing to account for your sins or asking for help, then you have picked up the cross of death.  If you reject this life, accept and acknowledge your sins and the need for Jesus, you will have picked up the cross of life.  Death is the requisite for sin and all have sinned and yet God's son tells us to pick up a cross and follow him.  If the thief on the left had been saved he would probably return to the life he had chosen.  The one on the right chose Jesus instead and gained eternal life. 

Which cross will you pick up?