The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-21

en- and earth were
the three Representatives OF the hu-
man race. One died for sin. One
died In sin. One died saved from
sin.
Consider the middle cross where
hung the One who died for sin. This
is the theme for many sermons and
/ the very sum and substance Of the
gospel. AS they we're mailing His
hands and feet there was heard the
first utterance from His lips. The
m~alefactors blasphemed but Christ
prayed. Did He pray for Himself?
Was 1t a repetition of the agony in
the garden? No. He had conquered
all that. His prayer was for His muir
derers: Father forgive them for
they know not what they do"
1t "a the prayer that was to start
n of the malefactors to thinking. II
was the prayer that was to convert
the Roman centurion. 1t was the
prayer that at Pentecost was to save
thousands of His enemies. But then,
alasl that prayer seemed to fall upon
Indifferent ears-"They know not
what they do" All, no., "for had they
known 1t they would not have cruel
fed the Lord of glory" They knew
many truths but they did not know
"the way. the truth and the 'ife." They
knew prophecy but they did not rec
ognize the fulfllment Of prophecy.
He died for sin since "there is none
Of us that can by any means redeem
his brother nor give to God a ransom
for him."
Consider the second cross where
hung the one who died in sin. The
two ma~lefactors alike jeered Him.
"They that were cruciled with Him
reviled Him." But there was one of
the thieves upon whom Christ's inter-
cessory prayer had no effect. More
tremendous than his physical pain
was his scorn and hatred of Him who
occupied the middle cross. He Joined
in the mockery of the crowds: "If
thou be the Christ, save thyself and
usl" He hated Christ because His
| power was not used to save him from
has plCocIl pun anu pulliSillhcAt.
But why should this malefactor have
been saved? He had committed
crime. He made no confession of
guilt. He sought no pardon. All he
was concerned about was his personal
safety. If Christ had delivered him
he would not have believed on Him.
Had he been liberated he would not
have changed his criminal nature or
saved society from his future crimes.
His approaching death did not startle
him. The Savior's prayer did not
soften him. His companions repent
ance did not stir him. He died
scoff1ng when he might have died
singing.
Consider the third cross upon which
hung the man saved from sin. He
was arrested in his mockery by the pa
tient, pathetic prayer of the Savior.
phemy of his companion now grated
upon his ears. He rebuked him by
telling him that 1t was no time for
such business. Death was before
them. Judgment was at hand.
Next this penitent thief did what
all sinners must do. He confessed
his sin: I'VE indeed justly receive
the due reward of u deeds" Then
he took the TX step. He admitted
that Christ was suffering an innocent
death: "This man hath done nothing
amiss.' 1t was a bold thing for him
to make this confession of faith. The
court had condemned Christ. The
church had reviled Him. The mob was
against Him. Yet this m%alefactor I'm.
dertook to reverse the decision of the
Roman government, the Jewish san
hedrin and popular opinion and pro-
nounce the Son of God unworthy OF
death.
He did not stop there. He now ad.
dressed his Savior: Lord, remember
me when thou contest into thy king.
DOM" He acknowledged Him as King
for he spoke of His Kingdom. Suci
In mockery had been the inscription
on the cross. But here was a mar
Drawer than the Jews, Drawer than the
Romans, Drawer than the disciples
who in his dying breath salutet
Christ as King. The dying thief had
faith enough to recognize Christ as
the rejected king of the Jews. Nc
wonder our Lord turned to him ant
said: To-day thou shalt be with Nj
in paradise"
Three crosses bearing the three dy
ing representatives of the human race
One died in love that none might per
ish. One died in anguish that non
might presume. One died in faith tina