Study 45
Jesus is mocked
Read Mark 15v16-32
Before we are moved too much by the account of Jesus' suffering we must remember why He allowed this to happen to Himself. This is the same Jesus who healed the sick, raised the dead and controlled the winds and the sea. When crowds attacked Him, He often walked away. Why doesn't He rescue Himself from this terrible humiliation?
A death for sinners
The bible states clearly that Jesus allows this to happen to Him. He came to die for “sinners" and here we see sinful men and women at their very worst.
They mock Him, press long thorns into His forehead, then strike Him on the head with a staff over and over again before spitting on Him. He was offered a drug (verse 23) but refused to take it because He knew that He had to suffer consciously. He was stripped naked and crucified as a common criminal outside the city. Even then they gave Him no peace but "hurled insults" at Him.
What amazing love Jesus has that even as the crowds laugh and jeer he dies for them. They cry for Him to come down but because of His great love He chose to stay there and suffer.
It was not the nails that kept Jesus, the Creator of the world, on the cross. No, it was His great love that kept Him there. His love for men and women, people who deserve to be banished to hell. Instead He became a curse for them (Galatians 3:13). Surely the love of Christ "surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3: 19).
Time to think
- What do you think of Jesus’ death?
- Are you one that mocks the Christian faith?
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