Mark 15:27, 29-32
“They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.“ Mark 15:27, 29-32 NIV
Jesus came to earth and lived as one of us. He made his home among real people. He wasn't tucked away in some neat and tidy place protected from the dirt, sin, and filth of our world.
So it is not surprising that when He was killed on the cross, that He was crucified between two criminals. The Greek word translated as revolutionaries is robbers, bandits, or criminals in some other translations.
Jesus placed God's love where any of us, no matter how great or how small, no matter how spiritual or how vile, could find Him.
They crucified two thieves with Him and Him in the midst, they thereby intended Him great dishonour. But it was foretold that He should be numbered with the transgressors, because He was made sin for us.
Even those who passed by hurled insults at Him. They told Him to come down from the cross, and they would believe, but they did not believe, though He gave them a more convincing sign when He came up from the grave.
With what earnestness will the man who firmly believes the truth, as made known by the sufferings of Christ, seek for salvation.
With what gratitude will he receive the dawning hope of forgiveness and eternal life, as purchased for him by the sufferings and death of the Son of God.
What godly sorrow will he mourn over the sins which crucified the Lord of glory!
Recall we noted how deeply Mark’s account of the Passion is shared by the songs of the suffering servant in Isaiah. Here we do well to remember one of the key passages.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people (Is. 53:7-9).
It’s not difficult to trace the arc of Jesus rapid descent. At the beginning of the week He is hailed by cheering throngs as the promised Messiah. Six days later He is utterly alone.
Similar crowds have cried for His death and now deride Him as He suffers it. His opponents hurl derision at Him. Even those who suffer His fate manage still to taunt Him. He is at the end. Or, even more, the bottom. He has drank the cup of what it means to be human to the dregs.
Why?
Isaiah points the way. Jesus, like the suffering servant of whom Isaiah sings, is cut off from all that makes life sweet and good and pleasurable and a joy, he is entirely and utterly alone.
And it’s here that Mark spends his ink. He offers so little detail, we noticed, about the grim elements of Jesus crucifixion. Yet in describing Jesus isolation, His utter abandonment by all, friend, foe, and fan alike, Mark gets graphic. Jesus is alone, all alone.
And so the next time you feel like that. Or the next time you see someone feeling like that. We are invited called, really, to remember that Jesus, God’s own Son, has felt like that, too. We may be near the end, but we are not alone!!!
Father thank You for this day and remind us, we ask, that we understand our ups and downs, our hopes and fears, and beautiful memories and deepest regrets, for You shared them in the person of Your Son. Lord remind us that we are not alone, and draw us closer together in Your love. Lord we are truly saddened that You had to die among the worst of us in the most horrible of conditions and in a horrific manner, but we are grateful for amazing grace. Lord use us to be the light of Your love and the touch of Your grace to someone today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love you. ? ? ?W would “” is was d. ridiculed ed the same d was t is ’ ’ or we w, , Jesus. , WYour , today.
Father, we love You. Amen
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