“Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!’ In the same way even the chief priests—together with the experts in the law and elders—were mocking him: ‘He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel! If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! He trusts in God—let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, “I am God’s Son”!’ The robbers who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him.” —Matthew 27:38–44
The people that were passing by, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, the elders, and even the robbers who were being crucified along with Jesus boldly hurled verbal assaults of mocking and scoffing against Jesus. One would have reasoned that when they had nailed Him to the cross, they had done their worst. Christ suffered the utmost indignity that could be done to the worst of men—all for mankind’s sake. And no one appeared to care.
King David describes our Lord’s suffering in the following way:
“All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads. They say, ‘Commit yourself to the LORD! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the LORD deliver him, for he delights in him.” —Psalm 22:7–8
“I am disdained by them. When they see me, they shake their heads.” —Psalm 109:25
It appears the crowds were caught up in the moment as well, pouring contempt upon Him. Ridicule is always difficult to bear, but when one is in intense pain it hurts even more. Indeed, this was the hour when darkness reigned.
It was a great reproach to Jesus that He was crucified with actual criminals. It was an additional insult to be crucified in the middle of them as if He were the worst of the three. He was, at His death, numbered among the transgressors so that we at our death might be numbered among the saints. It appears every circumstance was thought of for His dishonor. Yet, if there had been no cross, then we could have no crown.
Those who reign with Jesus must also be willing to suffer with Him. Christ and His cross are nailed together in this world. Suffering for Jesus is not to be considered accidental or a divine punishment. Believing in Christ and suffering for Him are associated with God’s grace in Scripture.
Become More
“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.” —Isaac Watts, “When I Survey the Wondrous
Cross”
Further Reflections
“O Jesus, ‘despised and rejected of men,’ how couldst Thou die for men who treated Thee so ill? Herein is love amazing, love divine, yea, love beyond degree. We, too, have despised Thee in the days of our unregeneracy, and even since our new birth we have set the world on high in our hearts, and yet Thou bleedest to heal our wounds, and diest to give us life. O that we could set Thee on a glorious high throne in all men’s hearts! We would ring out Thy praises over land and sea till men should as universally adore as once they did unanimously reject.” —Charles H. Spurgeon
“For it has been granted to you not
only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, since you are
encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am
facing.” —Philippians 1:29–30