Save Yourself and Come Down - Mark 15:30

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, ...”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty of his book, Mark shared how the mocking people said, “save yourself, and come down from the cross” where we read:

Save yourself, and come down from the cross.

The verse reads, “Save yourself, ...”. Mark began with the word, “save” or “rescue, preserve and deliver” “yourself” which refers to “your own self Jesus”. Mark shared how the people continued to taunt Jesus by telling Him to “rescue” Himself.

The verse continues, “... and come down from the cross.” Mark added the words, “and come down” which means “and descend” “from the cross” or “in separation of the well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians”. Mark shared how the people wanted Jesus to “rescue” Himself and “descend” from hanging upon the “cross”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see the continuation of the mocking of the people who passed in front of Jesus who was “hanging” on the “cross”. They wanted Him to prove Himself by “coming down” from His place of “crucifixion” when they knew this was an impossibility for a normal person. Jesus could have “come down from the cross”, but He stayed to provide “salvation” for every person who will turn from their sins, repent of their ways and believe and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise will understand what Jesus endured for them and submit their lives to Him.

Next time Mark shares, “likewise also the chief priest mocking said … He saved others; himself he cannot save”, 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".