Three Crosses




By Rodney J Ready
On one side of my business card is my business information. On the other side is a picture of three crosses with the caption THE OFFER STILL STANDS along with a reference to Luke 23: 39 thru 43, Then, just under the crosses, is Romans 10:9 “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Doing an oil spill cleanup in the oil field over in east Texas, I was standing in a group of 5 or 6 big rough oil men who were used to the roughness of men typical of the oil patch.
I was passing out some of my business cards when one of the men saw the crosses on the card. He said very loudly, “ Hey! I know what that stands for. It stands for the Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.”
I don’t believe any of the other men said anything; but that outburst opened the door for me to witness to all of them.
As we stood there, I told them the story of how Jesus died and shed his blood so that we could be forgiven of sin and be reconciled to God. I asked them if they knew why there were three crosses the day that Jesus died. Then I explained that Jesus was crucified between two thieves which symbolized everyone who was ever born into this world because God’s word says that all who ever came before God are thieves.
I then told them the story of how one thief would not admit that he was a thief, but said to Jesus. “If you are the Son of God save us from this death.” But, the other thief said.” We are getting what we deserve.” In other words he admitted that he was a sinner. He then said. “ This man had done nothing amiss (or wrong) Evidently he knew something about Jesus before they were nailed to the crosses. He then acknowledged Jesus as Lord because he said. “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Then Jesus spoke the most wonderful words that anyone would ever want to hear.
Jesus said. “ Verily, Verily, I say unto you. Today you shall be with Me in paradise.”
Just think. That thief is in Heaven. Jesus did not tell the thief to do anything did he? And yet! The man was saved.
That my friend is salvation. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Ask forgiveness.
Everything that comes after that is in obedience to God.
Jesus said. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes unto the father except by me.”
He also said. “No man comes to me except the Father, who sent me draws him.”
That day, I do not know if any of the men there accepted Jesus as their savior. I will have to leave that to God.
The next day I was riding in the car with two of the men and one of them started cussing and the other one said.
“Hey don’t cuss, there’s a preacher man riding with us.”
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe.