Thursday, March 9, 2017
Matthew 27:39-44 And those who passed by blasphemed Him ... Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
IT HAPPENED ON GOOD FRIDAY: MEN MOCKED
After Pilate condemned Jesus, the soldiers led Him out to Golgotha where He was crucified. One aspect of His suffering is described in the reading above: Those who passed by on the road, the Jewish religious leaders, the robbers who were executed with Him, all united in a chorus of jeers: "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
The ungodly world still blasphemes the Savior, joining the group of revilers on Golgotha. This they do when they scorn the teachings of the Bible, especially the central truth of Christ crucified and risen. They also mock the Savior when they make fun of His Christians, regarding those who love God's Word and seek to live according to it, as religious fanatics and kooks. (You may well have been on the receiving end of this mockery.)
Little did the enemies of the Lord know that when they jeered Him on the cross, they were giving testimony to a splendid Bible truth. No, Jesus didn't come down from the cross (He could not if He was to save us), but He did come forth of the grave after being dead, as He said He would do. Now He sits at God's right hand ruling everything for the good of His people. (In love He exercises patience with unbelieving skeptics, giving them opportunity to believe the Good News before the Day of His return.)
Let us then bear the ridicule of the world patiently, as the Savior did. May He use it to confirm our faith. May we remember: "This is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5).
Heartless scoffers did surround Thee, Treating Thee with shameful scorn,
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee. All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne
That as Thine Thou mightest own me And with heavenly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 151:4)
