Himself He Cannot Save - Mark 15:31

Mark wrote when they crucified Jesus, “they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which said, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, you that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, Save yourself, and come down from the cross”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-one of his book, Mark shared, “likewise also the chief priest mocking said … He saved other; himself he cannot save” where we read:

Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes,

He saved others; himself he cannot save.

The verse reads, “Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, ...”. Mark began with the word, “Likewise also” or “in the same manner and likeness even so and indeed” “the chief priests” which refers to “the high priests” “mocking said” or “trifled, played with and jeering uttered, declared and proclaimed” “among themselves” which means “with regard to their own selves” “with the scribes” or “along side the men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings and served as interpreters and teachers”. Mark shared how the religious rulers joined in with the crowd of people who were “mocking” Jesus as He hung on the cross.

The verse goes on to say, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” Mark continued with the words, “He saved others” which means “Jesus rescued, made whole and preserved people from danger, suffering, disease and peril”; “himself” or “His own self” “he cannot save” which means “Jesus is unable and incapable of rescuing, making whole and preserving”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” taunted Jesus by declaring that He was “able to save” other people, but He was incapable of “saving” Himself.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we notice something interesting about the statement of these religious leaders. The “mockingly” stated that Jesus was capable of “saving” other people, but He was “incapable” to “save” Himself. In a way, they were correct. Though Jesus had the power to “save Himself”, He refused to do so because mankind would not have been saved in any other way. Without Jesus remaining upon the cross, everyone would die in their sins and be forever separated from God. Because Jesus did not “save Himself”, people can be saved. God loves people so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die for their sins, and though He could have easily escaped this process, He endured the pain and suffering both in His torture and death on the cross so every person who believes and trusts in Him may be saved. Those who are wise will carefully consider how Jesus did not “save Himself” because He wanted them to yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Mark shares how the chief priests said, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".