MAN ON THE MIDDLE CROSS

 I recently heard an insightful, humorous, and yet deeply-moving soundbite from a message preached by Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church near Cleveland (OH). He was speaking about the cross, and about how salvation is not because of what we have done, but only because of what Jesus has done. He then focused on one of the crucified thieves who, as his life ebbed away, placed his faith in Christ and was rewarded with the promise of salvation. The scene shifts. This man, now approaching heaven, is questioned by angels as to why he is there, and why he should be allowed admittance. Did he understand the doctrine of justification by faith? Never heard of it. What about the doctrine of Scripture? No idea. This is a man who never attended a Bible study, never was baptized, didn't know about church membership. In exasperation the angel finally asked him, "On what basis are you here?" To which he replied, "The man on the middle cross said I can come."

Two thoughts:

1 - This week we commemorate and celebrate what Jesus did for us. On Friday we reflect upon his death, the sacrifice he made to pay for our sins, take our guilt away, rescue us from the kingdom of darkness, cancel our death penalty, and make the way for our relationship with God to be restored. And on Sunday we celebrate his victory over sin and death by way of his resurrection from the dead, that definitive act that completed God's redemptive mission, secured our freedom, and ensured our salvation. All of this, not because we somehow earned it, but because God, in his grace and mercy, made the way for us to meet the man on the middle cross.

2 - But what about those who have not met him?  As we think about all those people who are still in darkness, walking the broad road to destruction, hopeless, lost, and heading for an eternity of separation from God, like the thief on the cross, there is only one hope for them: the man on the middle cross. Just as the thief could do nothing to earn his place in heaven, so also those who are lost can do nothing to earn theirs. It is only by looking in faith to Jesus that they can be rescued, redeemed, and restored. But in order for that to happen, there must be an introduction. They must meet him.

And so, this brings us back to us and to them. For us, this week is an opportunity to reflect, and to rejoice! We have met him, and he has graciously extended to us - like to the thief on the cross - the promise of eternity in paradise with him. For them, however, this week is no different than any other. They continue to trudge through life. They have not yet met him.

So, on the one hand, let's rejoice in what he did and the underserved gift he has extended to us.

On the other hand, let's remember those who are still in darkness, and let's do our part - whatever that might be - to introduce them to him.

The man on the middle cross. It's all about him.

Sincerely,

Matthew

Dr. Matthew Smith

Founder and Director

Project 92

High Pointe partners with Matt Smith and Project 92 supporting 4 indigenous missionaries in Nepal and helping with projects that further the spread of the gospel in that region.