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I recently studied the Book of Mark and was shocked by how much mocking Jesus experienced on his way to the cross, as well as while He was on it. A contingent of Roman soldiers made fun of Him as they led Him to be crucified (Mark 15:16-20). Passersby hurled insults (Mark 15:29-30). The religious leaders kept their mockery between themselves, but they also ridiculed Him. Even some of the people crucified alongside Him mocked as well (Mark 15:31-32).
Given our knowledge that His crucifixion was a divine sacrifice to save humanity, the insults He received seem ironic. Even more so when one realizes that not long before, He'd been welcomed into Jerusalem like royalty. Palm fronds and clothing were placed on the ground for his donkey to walk on (Mark 11:8). The people had welcomed Him with great praise, calling Him the one who came in the name of the LORD (Mark 11:9-11). Yet, just like that, those same people turned against Him and supported His execution.
It is easy to see their behavior and wonder how people could have been influenced to treat Jesus in that way. It is easy to think we could never have done what those people did. However, we need to realize that it is easier than we think to be just like His mockers. And we must take precautions to not fall into the same trap they did.
Those people, despite knowing Jesus helped people and taught God's word, chose a criminal, Barabbas, to be released. They thus decided to act unjustly toward Christ, an innocent man. How many of us speak and act unjustly toward others who don't deserve such treatment? How many of us are swayed by the general public's consensus on an issue or person and thereby acquire an unfair attitude toward them? Are we allowing groupthink instead of God's word and His Holy Spirit to guide our perspective? If we dare to be honest, many of us do this.
The religious leaders who voted for Christ's death had heard of and/or seen Him perform miracles. They also knew that His very presence put their social and economic position in jeopardy. How many of us are allowing social and financial considerations to silence Jesus in our lives? How many of us disregard what He taught and the miracles we've seen Him do for us or others? Rather than allow Him to change us, we treat Him and His sacrifice with disdain. In so doing, we choose Barabbas - a liar, thief, and murderer, aka the devil - to survive and thrive in us instead.
And as we push aside what Jesus taught us to do because it is more convenient to live as we desire, are we not also making a mockery of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross? Are we then any better than those men and women who watched Him be strung up? When we do this, we are not different from those in the world who don't know what Jesus did for them. Arguably, we are worse than they are. Knowing what He went through, we essentially spit on and reject all He did for us when we choose not to apply His instructions.
Thank God for the privilege of grace and mercy, which are available to everyone who still has breath in their lungs and can choose another option. Jesus died on that cross knowing that we would mock His sacrifice, and He still did it anyway. This is why He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus knew that humanity would not grasp the consequences of their wrong choices, and so He interceded and keeps interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-15).
That means we each can repent for making a mockery of His choice to be the eternal Lamb who speaks on our behalf before God's throne. We can receive mercy and help, so we begin to live as those who apply His teachings. Jesus said it is those who love Him that do what He taught. We can receive supernatural strength to turn from our sins, be they gossip, occult, blaspheming God, cussing, fornication, or false religious beliefs and practices like yoga, divination, and the like.
By studying God's word, fasting, praying, and letting the Holy Spirit guide us, we make fewer choices that disrespect Jesus and live more righteously. I pray that each of us who says we are Christians will think carefully about how our lifestyles and mindsets mock Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I pray we will take the time to repent for where we fall short and ask for help to do better. That way, we will live in a way that glorifies and honors the Lamb of God and His Father, the Lord Almighty. By God's grace, we shall gather to pray about these things today during fellowship at Noon EST, IJMN, Amen.
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