Word@Work Luke345 - Luke 23:35-38
Published: Thu, 04/28/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MOCKING THE TRUTH
Luke 23:35-38 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (NIV)
In the same way that the most deadly lies contain enough truth to make them credible, so the vilest mockery throws accurate information into the face of the enemy. That was how Jewish rulers and Gentile soldiers treated Jesus. He had become a public exhibition as He hung on the cross: observed by all, mourned by some, but mostly ridiculed. Their words were full of derision. However, what they said about Him was true: He was indeed the Christ of God (Messiah), the long prophesied 'Chosen One' (Isaiah 42:1), the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world.
Although their words were true, the people were mocking because they did not want to believe them. So they made the King of kings to be their plaything. But mockery says more about the mockers than about their victim - like bullies who expose their weak insecurity when they attack others. Even though the learned religious rulers had read many prophecies about Jesus, they proved that they had not believed what they read. When Pilate wrote the title of Jesus in three languages, they still believed that He had no power or authority over them. But they were so wrong and demonstrated their fundamental problem: a proud arrogance making themselves to be more important than the Saviour who will be their judge one day.
It is not just a modern habit to mock Jesus, but its roots are identical to those who mocked Noah, Moses, Jeremiah, Jesus and His church. The mockers do not believe that God's Word has any authority over them. Some with closed minds have never read it lest their prejudices are disturbed. Others know the words but challenge their authority. There is no blessing for such people. Hebrews 10:26-27 says, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." No wonder Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28). Whenever you hear people mocking the truth, pray for them and where possible explain the meaning of the reality which they despise. And for ourselves, we must be clear that unless we obey His Word, we are mocking it and Him who wrote it.
Prayer: Holy God of truth and love. Thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ did not weaken in the face of mockery, because He knew that their words and hard hearts could never undo the truth of who He was. Forgive me when I know Your Word and yet fail to obey, adding my mockery to those around the cross. Please help me to understand that truth is holy to You; and speaking truth with a false heart is another form of mockery. I also pray for my friends and colleagues who are in the habit of ridiculing Jesus, not understanding His authority and power. So please increase my faith and my courage to obey my Lord, so that I may glorify You and not mock You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
In the same way that the most deadly lies contain enough truth to make them credible, so the vilest mockery throws accurate information into the face of the enemy. That was how Jewish rulers and Gentile soldiers treated Jesus. He had become a public exhibition as He hung on the cross: observed by all, mourned by some, but mostly ridiculed. Their words were full of derision. However, what they said about Him was true: He was indeed the Christ of God (Messiah), the long prophesied 'Chosen One' (Isaiah 42:1), the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world.
Although their words were true, the people were mocking because they did not want to believe them. So they made the King of kings to be their plaything. But mockery says more about the mockers than about their victim - like bullies who expose their weak insecurity when they attack others. Even though the learned religious rulers had read many prophecies about Jesus, they proved that they had not believed what they read. When Pilate wrote the title of Jesus in three languages, they still believed that He had no power or authority over them. But they were so wrong and demonstrated their fundamental problem: a proud arrogance making themselves to be more important than the Saviour who will be their judge one day.
It is not just a modern habit to mock Jesus, but its roots are identical to those who mocked Noah, Moses, Jeremiah, Jesus and His church. The mockers do not believe that God's Word has any authority over them. Some with closed minds have never read it lest their prejudices are disturbed. Others know the words but challenge their authority. There is no blessing for such people. Hebrews 10:26-27 says, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." No wonder Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28). Whenever you hear people mocking the truth, pray for them and where possible explain the meaning of the reality which they despise. And for ourselves, we must be clear that unless we obey His Word, we are mocking it and Him who wrote it.
Prayer: Holy God of truth and love. Thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ did not weaken in the face of mockery, because He knew that their words and hard hearts could never undo the truth of who He was. Forgive me when I know Your Word and yet fail to obey, adding my mockery to those around the cross. Please help me to understand that truth is holy to You; and speaking truth with a false heart is another form of mockery. I also pray for my friends and colleagues who are in the habit of ridiculing Jesus, not understanding His authority and power. So please increase my faith and my courage to obey my Lord, so that I may glorify You and not mock You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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