The mockers at the cross didn’t understand the significance of the cross. If Jesus saves Himself, He can’t save you. Jesus’ reputation of healing was well known. Even the Roman soldiers and a thief on the cross mocked Jesus’ seeming feebleness on the cross.
The Jewish leadership had gotten just what they wanted: the death of Jesus. The fact that Jesus did not save Himself reinforced their opinion that He was not Messiah. Luke 23: The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”[1]
It would take the blood of a sinless Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Romans 5: 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.[2]
It Was Going to Plan
If the Jewish leaders had paid attention to their own Scriptures, they would have realized that Jesus was doing everything per God’s plan. Psalm 22: 6 But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! 7 Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, 8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!” 16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. [3]
This Psalm of David is prophetic and written hundreds of years before Jesus died on the cross. God had a plan to redeem us from the beginning. Now, God would take the evil perpetrated on Jesus and turn it for good for our salvation. The human need for power demonstrated by the Jewish leadership and Pilate allowed evil to happen to Jesus. God used this and the mocking for His own purposes. Just as God redeemed this evil, God continues to redeem and restore us.
God’s Plan is Bigger
The mockers at the cross could only see the crucifixion in a limited scope. The Jewish leaders thought Messiah would free them from Roman rule, and Jesus didn’t do that. The Roman soldiers were doing a daily task and found entertainment in mocking Jesus. If we only look at the day, evil appears to be winning.
But God’s plan was so much more significant. Hebrews 10: 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time… 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time… 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. [4]
Don’t be discouraged when it seems that evil is winning. God is faithful, loves us, and can redeem what the enemy throws at us for good. Jesus promises to always be with us and walk through the valley of death with us. As believers, we have the promise of eternity with Him.
If Jesus saves Himself, He can’t save you. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-ultimate-sacrifice
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.