Final Insults

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Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, You gave Your all so that I could have all of You. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Read Mark 15:21–32

^[21] A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. ^[22] They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ^[23] Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. ^[24] And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. ^[25] It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. ^[26] The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. ^[27] They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. ^[28] 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.

Meditate

“Behold the man upon a cross, / My sin upon his shoulders; / Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice / Call out among the scoffers” (Stuart Townend).

Think Further

The scene appears bleak. Jesus was physically too weak to carry his cross.

His final hours were accompanied by insults. All dignity had gone. The mock coronation was

completed by crucifixion. The taunting charge is “The King of The Jews” (26). But why mention

Alexander and Rufus if they were not believers known to Mark’s audience? Why does the

reference to Jesus’ clothes hint at Psalm 22:18, words from the psalm which Jesus himself would

soon cry out?

The paradox is seen in the chief priests’ mockery. They have to acknowledge Jesus’ ministry,

“He saved others” (31), but if he really were the King, the Messiah to save us, there is one way

to prove it: “come down now from the cross” (32). Mark is not writing a doctrine of the

atonement. He is portraying the core meaning of the cross by reporting what was said that

morning. If Jesus were to save us, including all those surrounding him or passing by that day, he

could not save himself. He could not come down from the cross. Unintentionally, the insults

revealed the truth. Salvation could only come by his staying there. The temple of his body would

be raised on the third day and he would replace the Temple. Jesus has done for us what we could

not do for ourselves.

He died with a condemned man on his right and left. James and John had asked, “Let one of us

sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” No wonder Jesus replied, “You do not

know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism I

am baptized with?” (Mark 10:37,38). This bleak scene was the moment of glory. This cup was

drained alone, for us.

The scene appears bleak. Jesus was physically too weak to carry his cross. His final hours were accompanied by insults. All dignity had gone. The mock coronation was completed by crucifixion. The taunting charge is “The King of The Jews” (26). But why mention Alexander and Rufus if they were not believers known to Mark’s audience? Why does the reference to Jesus’ clothes hint at Psalm 22:18, words from the psalm which Jesus himself would soon cry out? The paradox is seen in the chief priests’ mockery. They have to acknowledge Jesus’ ministry, “He saved others” (31), but if he really were the King, the Messiah to save us, there is one way to prove it: “come down now from the cross” (32). Mark is not writing a doctrine of the atonement. He is portraying the core meaning of the cross by reporting what was said that morning. If Jesus were to save us, including all those surrounding him or passing by that day, he could not save himself. He could not come down from the cross. Unintentionally, the insults revealed the truth. Salvation could only come by his staying there. The temple of his body would be raised on the third day and he would replace the Temple. Jesus has done for us what we could
not do for ourselves. He died with a condemned man on his right and left. James and John had asked, “Let one of us
sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” No wonder Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:37,38). This bleak scene was the moment of glory. This cup was drained alone, for us.

Apply

What aspect of the crucifixion do you think was the worst for Jesus? What part of the crucifixion grips you the most and why?

Closing prayer

Lord, You did this for me, because I could do nothing to save myself. As You bore insult for me, may I gladly bear insult for You.

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