Luke the beloved physician wrote when Jesus was hanging on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty-five of his book Luke shared how, “the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him” where we read:
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying,
He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
The verse reads, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and the people stood beholding” or “and the people in the multitude were standing while looking upon Jesus as He was crucified”. “And the rulers” which refers to “the commanders, magistrates and princes who were first in rank” “also with them” or “even so and indeed alongside the multitude” “derided him” which means “sneered toward, scoffed at and turned up their nose to Jesus”. Luke shared how the multitude who was following Jesus were joined by the “religious leaders” who “scoffed and sneered” at Jesus and said the following words while He was being crucified.
The verse continues, “... He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.” Luke added the words, “He saved others” which means “He, Jesus, made whole, kept safe and rescued other people from danger and destruction”; “let him save himself” or “allow and permit him, Jesus, to keep safe and rescue from danger and destruction His own self”, “if he be Christ” which means” “whether and since he, Jesus, exists as the Messiah and Son of God”, “the chosen of God” or “the picked out, elected and appointed One belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” “scoffed and sneered at” Jesus while declaring that He was able to offer “salvation” to other people, and since He was the appointed and elected Messiah and Son of God, He should “save” Himself.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how there were many people who were watching Jesus be crucified. Among them were the “religious leaders” who wanted this to happen, and as they watch Him, they not only “scoffed and sneered at” Him, but they also made declarations concerning His offering of “salvation” to people. They declared because He was supposedly God's “chosen One, Messiah and Christ”, He should “save” Himself. Jesus could have “saved” Himself, but if He did, no one else would be “saved”. Jesus willingly offered Himself upon the cross to die for the sins of the world, and whoever believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be “saved”. All who refuse and reject Him shall be like the “religious leaders” who “scoff, sneer and make foolish accusations” and will ultimately pay for their works and deeds throughout all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how, “the soldiers also mocked him”, 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".
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