38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him…”
Verbal abuse and mocking accelerated to a fever pitch. The people walking by continued the harangue that began when they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” The extent of humankind’s depravity was revealed as they threw the very grace of God back into the Savior’s face. The religious leaders had purposely distorted His teachings, and the rest of the people ran with it, despite how ridiculous the charge was. Those described here as the chief priests, scribes and elders, joined in the degenerate merriment.
Throughout the passion narrative, irony overlays the words and actions of Jesus’ antagonists. The ridicule that captures this the most is this, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.” Their mockery of Christ is a mockery of themselves and their rejection of Him. For in reality, the statement is absolutely true. Jesus does save people from their sins. And because He was committed to that goal, His own salvation from judgment and death could not also be attained. He could not do both, for by plan and purpose, His goal was to give His life in order to accomplish salvation for sinners.
With sneering words, they mouthed the truth, “He is the King of Israel.” They were taunting Him to come down. One wonders what they would have done had Jesus in fact done that. Would they have believed if a miracle on that scale took place? Jesus had already answered that question: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). The people had witnessed enough miracles to validate who Christ was. The issue was rather one of darkened hearts.
They quoted Psalm 22:8 which shows the extent of their mocking—their mocking God Himself. The psalm which begins, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” is Messianic, and those who knew the Scripture best, the religious leaders and experts in the Law of Moses, used the very Messianic prophecies as tools of rejection of the Messiah! The very hope, the promise of Israel was being thrown away.
Lord, You are my hope. I believe Your promise that You will never forsake me.
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