They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

                                                                                                                   Mark 15:27-32 

The cross of Jesus Christ brings with it two distinct reactions; good news for some, utter foolishness for others (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18). Today we will examine Mark’s account of the crucifixion. First, we will look at those who mocked and insulted Jesus during His crucifixion then we will look at the realization that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

Have you ever been in a situation in which you were entirely capable of doing something that the people around you didn’t believe you could do? What if these same people began to mock you and insult you and say things like, “Yeah, you say you can do that, but none of us believe it. If you’re really that capable, why not prove it by showing us your abilities?” Is there any of us (knowing our capability) who wouldn’t immediately act on this dare? I have to admit, I would take no greater pleasure than to prove all of my naysayers wrong. Then I could gloat at their humiliation as I silence them all with my actions. Be honest, wouldn’t you want to do the same?

That is exactly what was taking place at the cross, with one big exception. We are not God and we are not all powerful, but Jesus is. When the crowds began to mock Him and insult Him, and thoroughly abuse Him, He remained silent. They attempted to prod Him into proving that He was exactly whom He said He was, but that would require coming down off of the cross, something that was completely in His power to do. But abandoning the cross prematurely would have meant that the enemy would still have a hold on mankind. The plan of God for the redemption of man would have been thwarted if Jesus had proven His divinity to this crowd of mockers. So Jesus, with the end game in mind, endured the mocking, the insults, and the abuse and stayed on the cross to complete the work the Father had sent Him to accomplish, the redemption of all who would believe.

Aren’t you glad that He did? Enduring the scorn and shame of the cross put Jesus into a category that none other will ever hold. Because of His obedience of humbling Himself and offering Himself up as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind, God has given Him the name that is above all names. Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and His kingdom will reign throughout eternity! Are you a part of the kingdom of God or do you continue to deny the name of Jesus? The crowd, while mocking, insulting, and abusing Christ, failed to recognize that the object of their wrath was the very Savior who was suffering for their sin. When we reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, we turn our backs on the very One who gave His life for us. What a tragedy that is.

But not everyone remained an unbeliever that day. Consider the following: 

When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

                                                                                                               Mark 15:33-39 

Upon Christ’s death, the curtain in the temple was torn in two. This has a very significant meaning. Although the curtain literally was torn in two, that action symbolizes the greater truth that through Jesus Christ, we now have access to God the Father. Although our sins are many, forgiveness, redemption, and adoption are now spiritual realities for those who will place their faith in Jesus. The curtain represented the barrier between God and the people of Israel under the old covenant. Through Jesus, the barrier is now removed and there is open access to God for all who will believe. This is the new covenant that God has established with mankind and it will remain until He returns to the earth.

Even though the crowd turned against Jesus, we see a light emerge in the heart of one, lone centurion. As Jesus breathes His last, this centurion simply states, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” In this brief and simple statement, the centurion acknowledges what all believers know today, that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God.

Where do you stand on the issue of Jesus? Are you a born again believer in the Savior of the world? Do you acknowledge that Christ and Christ alone is your only hope for eternal salvation? Nothing has changed since the crucifixion. There are those who still mock, ridicule, and insult the name of Jesus. There are those who believe that perhaps Jesus was a good man or a prophet, but they stop short of acknowledging who He really is, God in human flesh. And for those who would mock the name, they will also attack those who belong to the Savior. This abuse can be physical, verbal, or social in nature, but it is mocking nonetheless. As believers, we must be prepared to receive the same treatment from the world as Jesus did at Calvary. We may not literally be crucified, but our association with Christ will alienate many in today’s culture. We must be ready to meet that hatred and hostility with the love of God and the mercy, grace, and forgiveness that He has given to us.

As this study of the Gospel of Mark draws to a close, I want to encourage you to reconsider the importance of the decision to follow Jesus. It is the single most important decision you will ever make and it will affect your earthly life as well as your eternity. If you have not prayed and asked God to save you on the basis of what Christ did on the cross, I want to encourage you to do that now. Admit your need as a sinner and ask God to save you. He will be faithful! If you are already a believer but have grown cold in your relationship with Jesus, take some time now to recommit your life to Him. Share these decisions with those who you spiritually trust.

The cross of Jesus Christ is either the power of God for your salvation or it is utter foolishness to you. On which side of the fence do you stand? 

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

                                                                                                     1 Corinthians 1:18

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

                                                                                                                   Romans 1:16