The Three-Thirds of the Whole of Humanity

Three criminals from the death row were there that day with Jesus.

Criminal No. 1 is in a lot of pain.  He just wants it to stop. Immediately! So, he turns to Jesus and starts cursing and hurling abuse at Him:

Aren’t You the Christ? Why don't you do something????  Anything! If you really are God’s Son, if you are the Messiah, you don’t have to put up with this!  Save Yourself.  And, while You are at it, save us as well.

Now, Criminal No. 2 is also in a lot of pain.  But he can't put up with that.  So, he starts rebuking the first criminal:

Shut up, for heaven’s sake! Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this Man is innocent.  He has done nothing wrong and He is suffering the same penalty!

 He turns to Jesus and says,

Jesus, remember me... don't forget me... when You come... whenever that is... when You come... in Your kingdom!  

Jesus replies to him,

Truly I say to you, today... today... today... you... you... you...shall be.... with Me... in Paradise.

And then, there was the Criminal No. 3.  He had been thrown into prison for stirring up a riot in the city, and for murder. He was found guilty of the charges and is now waiting on death row for the execution of human and divine justice. His name is Barabbas.

It turns out that Friday is an incredibly lucky day for Barabbas.  For he learns that another man is going to be executed in his place. He is granted the pardon and is released to go free. Just like that.

There is no record of what happens to Barabbas after that. We can only imagine what he is thinking… what he is feeling as his rubs his bruised knuckles and ankles...

I should be hanging on that cross… I should have been there… but an innocent Man took my place… Innocent Man died so I could walk free…so I could live free...

It’s a life-altering, soul-altering experience…

…the guilty walks free…

… the Innocent One takes his place.

Three criminals… 

...all deserving death… 

...three-thirds of the whole of humanity represented here…

One Life-giving death for all of us...

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:19-21