Mark 15:27 – 32
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] 29 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, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 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! 32 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.
It is fascinating to see how the crowd’s view of Jesus slowly evolved over the course of his ministry. From scepticism, believing he was only a prophet, to shouting his praises only days earlier, to now, mocking Him as he hung bare upon the cross. What is most interesting, is their bidding to see Jesus perform one more miracle “come down from the cross and save yourself!”, implying if he does, they would then believe.This reminds me of Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 16:4
“A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.”
The crowds had seen Jesus feed the five thousand, raise the dead and restore sight to the blind, yet to them this was not enough. Even looking upon Jesus’ greatest miracle, the forgiveness of sins (Matt 9:5), their hearts were still blinded by sin. Perhaps what is most ironic is their claim that “He saved others… but he can’t save himself!”. Not only were they blind to His nature as God, but also to His mission, to save us from our sins.
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” – Romans 5:10
Let us not be blind to Jesus and his work in our heart and life.
Joel Bulow – Creek Road
