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Matthew 27:32-44
The Crucifixion As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. |
The cost of our salvation
It is very difficult to read passages like this that tell of the immense suffering of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew describes the scene so vividly, making it all too easy to imagine. The crowds, the noise, the shouting, the contempt in their voices. Are we angry at these people or do we see ourselves there and an innocent man paying the penalty for our sins? As one hymn puts it:
“Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers”
Even chief priests, teachers of the law and the elders joined in the mockery.
“He saved others but He couldn’t save himself.”
Had they not understood what they must have read in their scriptures?
“He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him; by His wounds we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:5)
Surely they must have read Psalm 22? Could they not see that here was the fulfilment of these scriptures?
Pilate must have thought that he was being very clever insulting the Jews, making sure his sign could be understood by all the nationalities coming into Jerusalem. However, one day Jesus will not be seen as a bleeding, beaten, dying man but a King in His glory, and all who mocked in unbelief will HAVE to “bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Arthur and Violet W