“He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Lk. 23:35 ESV). The Jewish rulers purposefully stood within earshot of where Jesus hung naked and bloody on the cross. The presence of such esteemed religious authorities at such a gruesome affair must have been unusual – not to mention their giddy scoffing as the Gentiles abused one of their own people. Yet, despite the lack of sin in His life or deceit in His mouth, their rejection of Jesus as the Christ – the long-promised one anointed by God to be king – was so complete that they could ignore “love your neighbor as yourself” to stand with His brutal Roman tormentors.
Though those soldiers had a different reason for their mocking: “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Lk. 23:37). These idol-worshipping pagans had no interest in the Jews’ theological debates. It was their job to keep the peace, by the edge of a sword when necessary – and even when it wasn’t. Crucifixion not only punished this would-be king but also reminded these backwater nobodies of their place. Though by refusing to respond with reviling or threats, Jesus didn’t act like other criminals: they often shouted down bitter curses with their dying breaths.
Like the man crucified next to Jesus: “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Lk. 23:39). That criminal didn’t share the rulers’ or the soldiers’ agendas for railing at Jesus: he just had his own sinful one. When we are in pain or ashamed, we often react in ways that hurt or tear down others, as though making someone else’s lot worse improves our own. (It doesn’t.)
Such a diverse group, and all crying, “Save yourself!” So, why didn’t Jesus come off the cross and let us ungrateful, evil people get what we deserve? Because on His other side was a criminal who humbly said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). Because among the Roman soldiers was a centurion who, seeing what took place, “praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’” (Lk. 23:47). Because among the rulers was one who took Jesus’ body and laid it in his own tomb, having “not consented to their decision and action…he was looking for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 23:51).
Because on Sunday morning, Jesus walked out of that tomb as Lord and Christ, offering forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life to all. “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:39). So, don’t stand with the scoffers, mockers, and railers. “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40).
Don’t miss a single opportunity to experience how wonderful the gift of our salvation really is through our lesson series “Saved”!