The cross is a victory disguised as a defeat.  Through Christ’s suffering, salvation was made available for all people.  God took the initiative to ensure that no one has to live separated from Him.  Woven into the story of the cross are the scarlet threads of grace seen in the lives of three men:  Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene and the thief on the cross.  Each of these men came face to face with Jesus, and like each of us stood in the shadows of the cross in need of God’s grace.