32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
I wonder if there’s a lot we can learn from today’s text, but then, it’s the bible…
I can’t imagine the audacity. Would you dare wrap an adversary to a chair…using a roll of duct tape…and then taunt them unmercifully to get loose? Only if I were absolutely sure they couldn’t do it…or they would never find me once they did.
These taunters lose on both counts. Jesus got loose and he knows where they are…
I remember the bull slapping contest from Wild Hogs…the bull wins.
Plus, they showed their complete ignorance. They had no clue that Jesus had no intention of stepping down from that cross. Foolish and ignorant: A bad combination.
But, we’re not taunters or bull slappers. This doesn’t really apply to us. One thing we have in common with them, however, is a natural tendency to marginalize or separate those who are not like us. The difference is really only a matter of degree. This tendency is what brought us Calvary.
Think not? I wonder why there are over 1500 distinct Christian faith groups in America. Have we had to break fellowship that many times just to keep our doctrine pure? Or do we just feel uncomfortable around folks who think differently? I’m sure the Pharisees started out with a simple discomfort with Jesus. It grew into hatred when they couldn’t “talk sense” into his head.
This is rather nuanced because every division is not a bad thing. I’ve learned over time that the best way for me to check my heart is to check my attitude when something bad happens to a perceived adversary. If I rejoice…I’m wrong. If I’m smug…I’m wrong.
Jim Baker…Jim Swaggart…Jerry Falwell…Ted Haggard. Do we remember how we felt about their troubles? Did we grieve for them? Did we pray for them? If we did, that’s a very good thing. Did we cluck like old hens in disapproval? Not so good.
My prayer is that people would view me as a “Good Samaritan” who demonstrates compassion toward the most unlovely people. I know it’s a stretch…but if God answers that prayer I can be sure I’ll never be party to hurting others.
Live boldly out there today…
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