Derided. Mark 15:29-32.
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,” save yourself and come down from the cross!”So also the chief priests and the scribes mocked him to one another saying, “He saved others, he cannot save himself. “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
Dear Saints,
Mark paints the picture of a lonely Jesus on the cross, mocked by everyone.
Passers-By (v. 29-30). The people who happened by and possibly also curious observers and idlers based their mockery on a misrepresentation of Jesus’ statement “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Jesus never did say he would destroy the temple. Of course, they also did not understand that he spoke of his body. They had already started the process of destroying his body and in three days he would raise it up!
Priests and Scribes (v. 31-32b). The most vocal public opponents of Jesus, the priests and the scribes (representing also the Pharisees) challenged Jesus to come down from the cross and they would believe that he was the Christ (Messiah), the king of Israel. We know that this challenge was not genuine because even after Jesus rose from the dead, the priests and the scribes continued in their unbelief.
Plunderers (v. 32b).The thieves who had been crucified with Jesus also mocked him. Luke records that one derided Jesus, challenging him to save himself and them, but the other rebuked him, pointing out that they were justly condemned, while Jesus was innocent (Luke 23:39-43). This account sums up the way people respond to Jesus. While some derided him in their self-righteousness, a thief found salvation by acknowledging his sin, Jesus’ righteousness, and appealing to Jesus to remember him. There is no other way. The self-righteous will go to destruction, while those who repent and appeal to Jesus will be saved. Which are you?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.