The Cross and Three

1. The Three Years of Jesus' Ministry on Earth was completed at his Crucifixion, as prophesied.
2. The Triple Prophecies of the Passion. Matthew records three times Jesus prophesied his death and resurrection: Matt 16: 21; 17:22-23; and 20:17-19.
3. Jesus’ triple prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane: Matt 26:36-44 before his arrest.
4. The Three Nails used to crucify Jesus. Although the exact number is not stated in the Gospels, evidence from archaeological discoveries indicates the general practice of Roman crucifixion showed that a nail was typically driven through each wrist and one nail through overlapping feet.
5. The Three Crosses on Golgotha where Christ's cross stands at the centre, with the crosses of the thieves framing the narrative of human rebellion on one side, and divine mercy on the other.
6. Jesus’ triple statements from the cross: Luke 23:34; 23:43; John 19:30
7. The Three Hours of Darkness (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-46) from noon to 3:00 P.M., symbolises God’s judgment on sin (Amos 8:9; Exod. 10:21).
8. The transition from night to day, announced by the crowing of the cock. At that time, Peter realised he had denied knowing Jesus three times (Luke 22:61 and John 21:15-17).
9. Triduum, the liturgical observance of the three consecutive days at Easter: Good Friday (when Jesus died on the cross), Holy Saturday (when his body rested in the tomb), Easter Sunday (when he was resurrected and thereafter fully understood to be Christ).

The number three also occurs elsewhere in the Christian faith. For example:

• The triune nature of God is probably the first instance that comes to mind. The Holy Trinity is a founding doctrine of Christianity, that God exists as three persons in one essence:
  • Father,
  • Son (Jesus Christ),
  • and Holy Spirit. God is one in nature, revealed in three distinct persons, each fully and equally God.
  
  The Trinity is inseparable from the cross; the sacrifice of Jesus is a work of the whole Godhead, revealing the depth of divine love, justice, and mercy.
• The Three Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13; ).
  • Faith - confidence and conviction that God is who He says He is, and that His promises, as revealed in the Bible, are true (Heb. 11:1).
  • Hope - looking forwards with certainty and patience, even in the face of difficulties (Rom. 8:24-25).
  • Love - selfless, unconditional love, especially toward others. Love is the very nature of God (1 Cor. 13:4-7; ).
• The first and greatest commandment, when asked what it was, Jesus replied that it was to love God, with the following three things;
  • with all your heart,
  • and with all your soul,
  • and with all your strength.
  
  In other words, to love God completely, with their entire being. It encapsulates the essence of spiritual devotion and loyalty to God.
• Three temptations of Jesus (4:1-11) demonstrating the ability to rise above sin.
• The three covenants of God, with
  • Noah (Gen 9:8-17),
  • Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 151-21; 171-14),
  • and Moses (Exod. 19:5-6; 24:3-8; Deut. 29:9–15).
  
  Each covenant reveals God's plan for all of us.
• The three patriarchs
  • Abraham,
  • Isaac,
  • and Jacob, who are foundational to God's covenant with Israel.
• The tripartite declaration of the supreme holiness and perfection of God. (Isa. 6:3)

And finally (since I'm writing this page just before Christmas)...

• "We Three Kings Or Orient Are...."
  or rather, are not.
  
  The Bible doesn't say how many they were, or even if they were kings (though Psalm 72:10 refers to kings who will bring gifts to the Messiah - following the then practice for kings to offer gifts to other kings, in this case, King of the Jews). They were probably astrologers, in those days called magicians, hence the Biblical term magi.
  
  However many there were, they brought three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) which symbolise
  • kingship - gold being the most precious material to give to a king,
  • divinity - frankincense, a resin used in incense burnt in ritual offerings to deity,
  • and death - myrrh was used for embalming and as an anointing oil.