Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

MOCKING OF JESUS
As previously stated, Golgotha (Calvary) was a public execution site and the vertical posts of the crosses were placed in the ground permanently and weren’t too far from each other. The posts stood at a height so that the victim could be easily seen by a crowd, but still low enough that a soldier could easily stab the victim in the side of their chest with a spear.

This meant that the victim had his feet mounted about one to two feet above the ground. It was common for the soldiers to allow the local population access to the cross where the condemned hung in order to instill fear in the population. Hearing the victim up close, crying and moaning as they hung like a piece of meat, was psychologically terrifying.

Those passing by the crucifixion site spoke all manner of evil against the Son of God and exulted in His misery.

1. They repeated the claim that Jesus could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.

a. They failed to understand that He was prophetically speaking of His own body. John 2:19-22

2. And then they added the taunt that the Messiah should remove Himself from the cross… and then… then they would believe! Matthew 27:39-40; Mark 15:29-30

3. Would they really have believed? No, because miracles do not produce faith.

Among the throng of people walking around the crosses were members of the Jewish political and religious leadership. The same vermin that condemned Jesus to death, were active at the arraignment with Pontius Pilate, persuaded the mob to call for the death of an innocent man, had now arrived to the cross to chime in a final time and mock the divinity of the Messiah.

Jesus had healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, restored sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk, resurrected the dead, fed thousands from a small meal basket, etc. If the God-man was really the Messiah, He should come down from the cross so that they could witness the miracle and worship Him.

If this Jesus of Nazareth really had the favor of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, then let the Lord of Israel deliver Him. If Jesus really is the Messiah, God will favor Him because He has declared that He is the Son of God. Matthew 27:41-43; Mark 15:31- 32a; Luke 23:35

It must have been painful for Jesus to be nailed to the cross with a hostile crowd jeering Him to get off the cross and prove He really was the Son of God. Clearly, He had the power to do so, but He was not interested in proving anything to human beings acting on behalf of Lucifer.

It was a further aggravation when the crucified criminals decided to join the criticism, urging the Messiah to save Himself and them also. Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32b

This might be surprising given that one of the thieves would later repent. However, it would seem that he too was caught up in the moment and simply wanted to escape if the opportunity arose.

The Roman soldiers entered the chorus of voices to add their insults. They did not believe in the Messiah, but nonetheless wanted to see the impossible. Luke 23:36-37

LAST MINUTE SALVATION
The two thieves were hanging on crosses on either side of Jesus. One of the criminals impudently told Jesus a second time to save Himself and them. The cheeky demand revealed his wickedness. Luke 23:39

It is likely the suffering endured by the other malefactor caused him to recognize his spiritual depravity and this why he rebuked his accomplice. They were receiving the proper punishment for their crimes. They deserved to be crucified for being highwaymen. In contrast, Jesus had suffered one miscarriage of justice after another and now had been condemned to death despite His innocence. verses 40-41

The man stepped out in faith and asked the Messiah to remember him when the God- man died and moved into His kingdom and glory. He was asking the Son of God to intercede on his behalf. This was a huge step of faith when Jesus was humiliated and insulted by virtually everyone, forsaken by His disciples, enduring a shameful punishment, and close to death. verse 42

After hearing the repentant thief confess his faith in the Messiah, Jesus granted the man salvation on the spot. He was forgiven and received eternal life in paradise (heaven). verse 43

MOTHER OF JESUS
Jesus was the first-born child to Mary, who later had more children with Joseph. The Bible doesn’t state it, but it is evident that Joseph had passed away. We don’t know why the Gospel writers did not record his death.

Jesus’ friends at one point thought He was acting crazy and they tried to confine Him as a lunatic. Even Mary and her other children thought that Jesus was behaving weirdly and tried to take Him home. If Joseph had been alive, he would have been with them.  Mark 3:21; 31-32

John is the only one that visited Golgotha with the mother of Jesus. He also brought Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. They moved close to the cross and faced the mutilated God-man hanging upon it. John 19:25

When they were in speaking range, Jesus looked at His mother and John and stated they were now family. It was the custom that the oldest son was responsible for taking care of the parents when they got older. Mary would not have an opportunity to make a living and thus Jesus wanted John to care for His mother. From that day John moved Mary into his household. verses 26-27

This shows the deep love Jesus had for His mother. Even though half-dead, the God- man wanted to ensure His mother was not forgotten.
The prophetic words of Jesus continued to be fulfilled.

“…the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matthew 20:18-19)