Part 7: Jesus Is Ridiculed
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
PART 7
Mark 15:16-32
1. THE RIDICULE TELLS YOU ABOUT YOUR OWN HEART.
The ridicule shows absolute hostility toward Jesus’claims.
“Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save Yourself!’ 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 Messiah, 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.” Mark 15:29-32 (NIV)
The ridicule shows bias about Jesus.
“The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to Him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to Him.” Mark 15:16-19 (NIV)
The ridicule reveals Jesus’ heart.
“Let this Messiah, 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.” Mark 15:32 (NIV)
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a Man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.” Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
2. QUESTIONS AT THE CROSS:
Why is this happening?
Why isn’t God doing something about it?
The Key Question: How big is your God?
“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT)
“‘To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal?’ asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing…Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.” Isaiah 40:25-26,28 (NLT)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
__________________________________
This Week’s Reading Plan:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“Forgiving Those Who Wound Us” (7 Days)