Hello From Maple Grove

with

 

Shan Hartsough

"Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).  Here they crucified him, and with him two others-one on each side and Jesus in the middle."-John 19: 17-18

 
Three Crosses

 
     On our return from a family vacation in Florida a few summers ago, we drove up interstate 77 through Virginia, West Virginia, and into Ohio.  Along that highway every 20-30 miles you can spot 3 crosses placed in various spots alongside the highway.  Some were right near the side of the road and others were set back up on the side of mountains.  We made it a game to see which kid could spot the crosses first.  I don't know who placed those crosses there but they did make me think about Jesus and His cross.  Jesus was not crucified alone.  There were two other men executed along side Him (see John 19: 17-18 above Luke 23: 32-33 below).  Three crosses on the place called the Skull.  To me this is symbolic of the choice we have as people.  Which cross are you going to choose?
 
     On one side of Jesus there is the criminal who joined in hurling insults at the Lord.  "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ?  Save yourself and us!" (Luke 23: 39)  We can choose to deny Christ.  We can join the crowd and mock Him.  It is sad to think that there are many who live there life in this way.  "But
the other criminal rebuked him.’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 he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' " (Luke 23: 40-42)  The other criminal turned back to the Lord.  He had lived his life, not thinking about the consequences of his actions, until the very end.  But in the end he realized that his only hope was Jesus.  We are free to choose this cross as well but there is a risk.  Do you know when your last day is?  Can you be sure that once you choose the world you will want to come back?
 
     Then there is the third cross: the cross of Jesus.  This cross holds the promise of salvation.  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given by men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4: 12)  Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned but with salvation comes responsibility.  Jesus challenges us to follow Him.  "Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9: 23)  We are called to live to a higher standard, to give up ourselves and to choose to serve God.  Being an example and leading others to Him.  There were 3 crosses on that hill the day Jesus died.  We are free to choose which one we will follow.  I pray that we will choose wisely and trust in the cross of our Lord!
 
     I pray that things are well with you.  Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises.  Have a good week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!
 
In Christ,
 
Shan D. Hartsough
 
"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left."-Luke 23: 32-33