Left, Right, and Center

It's Saturday, and time to post a StoryADay Challenge! This one comes from May 29th. The prompt came from Julie Duffy: "Write a story in three sections, each section recounting the same event from a different character’s point of view." 

Left, Right, and Center

"And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.'
And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.'
The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, 'If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.'
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.'
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.'
And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'"

~Luke 23:33-43 

From the Left:

I am a self-made man. Carpe diem! I am grown; no one's gonna tell me what to do. I have done pretty well on my own all these years. What has God ever done for me? That may be your truth, but it's not mine. When I'm old and have nothing left to live for, I'm sure I'll be okay with the church thing. It's a crutch. No one believes that stuff anymore. 

"If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!"

From the Right:

I offend God every day. You don't know who I was before I met Jesus. The Bible is God's inerrant Word. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God saved a wretch like me. He has shown me grace upon grace. I believe; help my unbelief! God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I can do nothing without You, Lord. All I have is Yours. I am not worthy.

"Lord, remember Me when You come into Your kingdom."

From the Center:

I am your shield, your glory and the One who lifts your head. Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven. I go before you and behind. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. I love you with an everlasting love. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. I have plans for you, to prosper you and not to harm you. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. I have overcome the world.

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" (Matthew 25:41)

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" (Matthew 25:34; Luke 23:43)