65. Irony of Insults

from Mark 15:29-32 NASB

Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,  save Yourself, and come down from the cross!

What these cruel men didn’t realize was that they were destroying the temple and He would indeed raise it up in three days!

In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.”

Oh how the Lord Jesus would have loved to save them. And He was dying in order to be able to save others. Myriads of angels were at His command, but nothing could deter Him from His purpose to provide means of salvation for a world (yes, you and me) at enmity with God.

“Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!”

If He would have come down from the cross, that would have been reason to not believe in Him. It would have been contrary to the Scriptures that most accurately and graphically foretold His sufferings and death. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

He was numbered with the transgressors. His friends forsook Him. His enemies insulted Him. Even those who were enduring physical sufferings like His would not sympathize with Him. Finally, even His God forsook Him (but in no way insulted Him).

Behold, what manner of Love, that He would stoop down so low to bring His enemies into the fold of God’s family — and so near to His heart. Respond to His love today.