Jesus Christ – The Man in the Centre

“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre.”
(John 19 vs 17-18)

At Golgotha also known as Calvary, Jesus Christ was crucified, with two others, one either side of Him. On the one side of Jesus Christ there was a thief, who in his agony, cursed and blasphemed against Jesus. On the other side was a thief, who began in the same way, but then the light of truth shone into his mind and heart. As he hung upon the cross in his own agony he looked across at the suffering Saviour and the spiritual light dawned upon him. This Man had done nothing wrong and yet He was suffering. His heart went out in repentance and in love towards Jesus Christ, for he realised that his only hope was in Him. So he cried out “Lord remember me, when You come into Your kingdom.”

So we have this reality at Calvary in the unique role and position of Jesus Christ, the Man in the Centre. On one side a believer, on the other an unbeliever. To one, He was the willing Saviour who said to the dying thief who believed, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” To the other, who hardened his heart, Jesus Christ was the weeping Judge, whose heart was grieved at the thief’s unbelief.

Please remember the words of the Apostle Paul, reminding us of the central role of Christ Jesus and our great need to trust in Him and Him alone.

“For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2 vs 5

The blessing of believing in Christ Jesus -

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord'"

Psalm 61 vs 2