Indifferent...

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."    John 15:10

Mark 15:24- 32

24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 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, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!"
31 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! 32 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.


The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus executed on a cross, a method of death that they believed brought a curse from God (Deuteronomy 21:23).  They hoped to persuade the people that Jesus was cursed, not blessed, by God.  Crucifixion was a feared and shameful form of execution.  The person was forced to carry his cross along the longest possible route to the crucifixion site as a warning to bystanders.  Death came by suffocation as the person lost strength and the weight of the body made breathing more and more difficult.  A sign stating the condemned man's crime was often placed on a cross as a warning.  Because Jesus was never found guilty, the only accusation placed on his sign was the "crime" of being "King of the Jews".  Ironic right?
Jesus could have saved Himself, but He endured this suffering because of His love for us.  He could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation and killed those who mocked him.  But He suffered through it all because He loved even His enemies.  We had a significant part in the drama that afternoon because our sins  were on the cross, too.  Jesus died on that cross for us, and the penalty for our sins was paid by His death.  The only adequate responses we can make is to confess our sins and gratefully accept the fact that Jesus paid for them so we wouldn't have to.  Don't insult God with indifference toward the greatest act of genuine love in history; nor indifference to the One who made it.

PRAYER: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:24-25).  Jesus, You have not only promised today's salvation, but an eternity of life with You.  Today I see part of Your promise, in Your work in my life; but the greater part of salvation still lies ahead of me, a promise yet unfulfilled.  When doubt pushes forward, increase my hope.  Help me to wait patiently for that final salvation.  My hope lies in You alone.  In Your Name, we pray, Jesus.  Amen.