Word@Work 201 - Mark 15:31-32
Published: Wed, 09/03/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:31-32 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (NIV)
It was not only the passing public who threw verbal abuse at Jesus, the religious establishment weighed in too. Their pitch was about His claim to be Saviour and king. As Mark has repeatedly pointed out, they were so blind; they could not see that Jesus exactly matched the prophetic descriptions of the Messiah. And they wrongly assumed that He could not save Himself. He could ... but He did not want to. He knew that none of those who condemned Him could have any hope of heaven, without His sacrifice for them. No wonder the Apostle Paul was so grateful (1 Tim 1:15), as we should be too.
Like many today, who throw religious taunts, the Jewish leaders claimed to be open to believing. The final sign, they said, would be an empty cross. Three days later they had an empty tomb and they still did not believe. What had blinded them? Not their study of the Old Testament - that should have turned the light on. It was not lack of information: they had evidence of many miracles which confirmed Jesus' words. Tragically, in their hearts, they had turned their backs on the Light of the world: because they would not bend their proud wills to His authority. They were no better than the adjacent criminals, who poured out their scorn.
Gospel ministry always faces this conflict. The rebellious will sneer where the believing rejoice. The conflicts are often felt in the family, at work, and in leisure time. For new Christians this can be quite a shock. But there is no way to prove what we believe (until our own resurrection day), so like Jesus we have to endure it. But that endurance has a great purpose: you see, it was for such religious know-alls and cocky lawbreakers that Jesus died ... and through your witness, some of them will find the salvation that Jesus bought at such a cost.
Prayer: Father God. You know how I shrink back from conflict, and would rather not suffer abuse for believing in you. But you have called me to such suffering as part of the package of being in Christ (Phil 1:27-30). Help me to endure for Your sake, and for the sake of my family and friends who need your grace so much. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
It was not only the passing public who threw verbal abuse at Jesus, the religious establishment weighed in too. Their pitch was about His claim to be Saviour and king. As Mark has repeatedly pointed out, they were so blind; they could not see that Jesus exactly matched the prophetic descriptions of the Messiah. And they wrongly assumed that He could not save Himself. He could ... but He did not want to. He knew that none of those who condemned Him could have any hope of heaven, without His sacrifice for them. No wonder the Apostle Paul was so grateful (1 Tim 1:15), as we should be too.
Like many today, who throw religious taunts, the Jewish leaders claimed to be open to believing. The final sign, they said, would be an empty cross. Three days later they had an empty tomb and they still did not believe. What had blinded them? Not their study of the Old Testament - that should have turned the light on. It was not lack of information: they had evidence of many miracles which confirmed Jesus' words. Tragically, in their hearts, they had turned their backs on the Light of the world: because they would not bend their proud wills to His authority. They were no better than the adjacent criminals, who poured out their scorn.
Gospel ministry always faces this conflict. The rebellious will sneer where the believing rejoice. The conflicts are often felt in the family, at work, and in leisure time. For new Christians this can be quite a shock. But there is no way to prove what we believe (until our own resurrection day), so like Jesus we have to endure it. But that endurance has a great purpose: you see, it was for such religious know-alls and cocky lawbreakers that Jesus died ... and through your witness, some of them will find the salvation that Jesus bought at such a cost.
Prayer: Father God. You know how I shrink back from conflict, and would rather not suffer abuse for believing in you. But you have called me to such suffering as part of the package of being in Christ (Phil 1:27-30). Help me to endure for Your sake, and for the sake of my family and friends who need your grace so much. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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