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. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-two of his book, Mark shared how the chief priests said, “let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross” where we read:
Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.
And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
The verse reads, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark began with the words, “Let Christ” or “allow and permit the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “the King of Israel” which means “the leader, prince, commander and lord belonging to the family or descendants of Jacob whose name means he shall be a prince of God” “descend now” or “come down” “from the cross” which means “from the well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians”, “that we may see” or “so we, (the chief priests), may perceive, be aware, take heed and be shown” “and believe” which means “and think to be true, have confidence, trust and acknowledge” that Jesus is the Christ and King of Israel. Mark shared how the “high priests” told Jesus to “come down” from the “cross” so they could observe and trust in Him.
The verse continues, “And they that were crucified with him reviled him.” Mark added the words, “And they that were crucified” which means “and the two thieves who were driven with stakes, palisade, destroyed in the flesh and power and extinguished completely” “with him” or “alongside Jesus” “reviled him” which means “reproached, upbraided, railed upon, chided and taunted Jesus”. Mark shared how the “two thieves” who were “crucified” with Jesus also joined in the “taunting and railing” against Him.
When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “taunting” of Jesus continued even while He hung on the “cross”. The “high priests” wanted Him to prove Himself by “descending” from the cross, and the “two thieves” who were “crucified” on Jesus' right and left side joined in the “chiding” as well. All the while Jesus allowed these things to occur because He desired to save every person from their sins. If Jesus “came down” from the “cross”, no one would be saved, and since He stayed, everyone has an opportunity to receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” even if they cast “railing” words His way.
Next time Mark shares what happened, “when the sixth hour was come”, 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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