Lent Day 36: Matthew 27 (#8)

verse 39: As people passed by, they shook their heads and insulted Jesus,

verse 40: ... saying, "If you are the Son of God, save yourself. Come down from the cross and show us."

verse 41: In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders also mocked him, saying,

verse 42: "He saved others, but he cannot save himself! If he is the king of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him!

verse 43: Since he claimed to be the Son of God, he must be relying on God; if God wants, he will save him now."

◇ It seems that the brutal flogging and mockery from the Roman soldiers were not enough. They continued to pour out insults and mock Jesus, who was nailed to the cross and experiencing unimaginable pain.

Jesus did not say a word. He did not make excuses, did not retaliate with insults, nor did he complain. If he wanted to make excuses, he would have done so before Pilate. If he wanted to insult, he would have done so to the soldiers who tortured and mocked him. If he wanted to complain, he would have done so in Gethsemane.

Jesus knew God's plan and his own path, so he silently walked that path. There must have been many moments when he could have chosen to save his own life. In those moments, Jesus chose God's plan over his own life and silently walked that path, eventually arriving at the cross.

By obeying God's plan and coming in human weakness, Jesus endured human pain and agony until the very end. He did not repay insults with insults, nor did he repay mockery and laughter with curses. Instead, he gave his life and repaid them with love.

Three days later, God raised Jesus, who had obeyed to the end in his weak flesh. He showed us an example and demonstrated the victory of those who obey God's plan to the end.

♧ Lord, it is a difficult path for us with our weak flesh and hearts. Help us to walk that path, one step at a time! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!