Worship Spaces: Three Crosses

Worship Spaces is a series of "favorite things" I've seen done in churches. These could be rituals, physical setups, or something else that worked really well. 

Today's post discusses using one cross and two spotlights to create a visual of three crosses.

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 NLT)

Years ago, I attended a friend's wedding at a Catholic chapel in Georgia. I clearly remembered noticing the cross (technically, a crucifix) hung near the front of the chapel.

Because of how two spotlights were arranged, a clear shadow of the cross appeared on the wall on either side of the first cross. From most of the seats, it appeared as three crosses, side-by-side.

If you're a visitor attending church for the first time, or if you're a Christian who doesn't know the story, this is merely a visual way to emphasize the importance of the cross. The primary cross is echoed on the wall.

But if you're someone who knows the story of the two criminals in Luke 23, every time you gather to worship, you remember the story. You can remember that some rejected Jesus, while others accepted him. And you can remember that Jesus offered grace to someone who didn't deserve it. While Jesus was suffering excruciating pain, he still managed to offer grace. Despite the fact that this criminal probably had done nothing else to redeem himself, had never repented until the last moments of his life, Jesus still offered grace.

I love this visual. I love the aesthetics, I love its message to the unchurched, and I love its reminder of grace to me.