This post is part of a series that will take us up to the Easter holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord.

Mark 15:21–32 (ESV) – 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

As Jesus died on the cross, he was mocked and made fun of. “Save yourself!” they shouted. “He saved others; he cannot save himself,” they laughed. Such were the comments. Such was the mindset of the people in attendance that day. It is a reflection on their ignorance and misunderstanding of who Jesus was and what was happening in the events of that moment.

We have not learned much after all of the years since Jesus was crucified. People are still quick to laugh and mock the name of Jesus and the events of that day. People still misunderstand the significance of the events of the cross. Yes, Jesus was hung on a cross and died. Yet, as he hung there, it was not a reflection of his weakness and inability to save himself. His death was the very action needed to save others from their sin. Jesus had to die for the salvation of mankind. There was no other way. So, he took the pain and suffering on his shoulders and died. It was in his strength that he died, not his weakness. He bore the sins of the world. He saved us by staying on the cross!

Lord, thank you for dying for us. Thank you for going to the cross and giving your life as a sacrifice. Amen.

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