On the three crosses, we see three ways that humanity experiences deep suffering. The thief on the first cross turns away from Jesus forever. The second thief turns to Jesus for salvation and is promised paradise that very day.

Like the first thief, we can feel spite toward Jesus until our dying breath, choosing the vocabulary and habitations of hell as our only escape from Jesus and those who follow Him.

Like the second thief, we can choose repentance. That is, we can turn around from our life of sin and selfishness, call out to Jesus, and receive rock-solid hope and assurance in our darkest hour.

In between the two thieves, of course, is the cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Supernatural darkness blanketed that part of the world from noon to 3 o’clock. In the Scriptures, such supernatural darkness speaks of God’s judgment. Here it speaks of God the Father’s judgment on the sins of the whole world, which Jesus was willingly bearing in His own body.

I am not saying that our deep suffering is an indication of God’s judgment. No, not unless we’ve committed high-handed sins. Instead, our sufferings are meant to draw us, more deeply, into our Savior’s amazing love and absolute forgiveness. “Your sins and evil behavior I will remember no more,” the Bible says.May that be your own experience today! That’s my prayer.

This is Luis Palau.