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The Two Criminals

 

The Russian Orthodox Cross is unique in that it has three cross beams: one where the words 'King of the Jews' was written in Greek, Roman, and Hebrew at the top. The second is the cross bream where Jesus' hands were nailed to. The third is where Christ's feet were nailed to a post. This post is sometimes not as pronounced, but in the Orthodox tradition one side is elevated and the other is titled downward. The reason for the titled third beam is because it symbolizes the story of the two criminals who were crucified on both sides of Jesus Christ.

The Scripture says, "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him (Jesus): Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and Us! But the other criminal rebuked his fellow criminal and said, "Don't you fear God," he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong. Then this penitent (repentant) criminal said to Jesus, "remember me when you come int your kingdom." Jesus responded, "truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

On the Orthodox Cross, the part of the foot beam that is titled upwards refers to the criminal who admitted his wrongs (sin and repented) and to whom Jesus promised would be in paradise. The part of the foot beam that tilts downward represents the criminal who insulted Jesus and mockingly called for Him to save himself and them. That criminal was not repentant.

Here the Gospel is contained in vivid detail at the very site of salvation! The two criminals are the two examples of how one can respond to the call to repent and to Jesus Christ. A person can either respond like the wicked criminal and ask God to get them out of the consequences of their evil deeds or a person can be like the criminal who admitted they deserved a horrible death for their sins and yet cries to Christ for mercy. The heart of the criminal who ridiculed Jesus was unrepentant, not sorry, and unwilling to admit his fault. He was a man who mocked God and would be unwilling to do what is necessary to follow Jesus. The other criminal who admitted his wickedness and asked the Lord Jesus to remember him was given the promise, that he would be with Jesus in Paradise! Many churches have semantics and specific prayers of salvation, but this criminal merely confessed he was sinner and deserved punishment, but then look to Jesus, knowing the Lord is innocent and God, asked for mercy. This criminal believed Jesus was the Christ and acknowledged his evil. This is the Gospel simplified! Repent and Belief. Repent of all your bad deeds and choices and believe Jesus Christ can save you and take you with Him to Paradise.

In this life people have a choice to be one of these two criminals. The choice is to be criminal who mocks and will take not responsibility for their wicked deeds and ends up dead to God and without salvation or to be the criminal who confess and acknowledges their wicked deeds and asks Jesus for to remember them (have mercy, forgive) and Jesus responds, "You will be with me in paradise." This is a heart issue, until you admit what you have done is sin and worthy of being punished, you are still not ready to reach out to Jesus or rather have Him reach out to you. Once you admit your wrongs and acknowledge Jesus can pardon them and take you to paradise by believing in Him, then it is finished! Choose today to be Confessing Criminal who could admit his wrongs and who believed in Jesus and that He could remember (assure his salvation in heaven) him.

Trivia: The Russian Orthodox Cross is also called St. Nicholas' Cross, The Byzantine Cross, and Suppedanuem Cross. In some countries the titled beam is in opposite direction.

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