The Response of Mockery

Read Mark 15:16-32

A number of people responded to the cross with open mockery. In the last moments of Jesus’ life he received scorn from every sector around him. Let’s take a moment and reflect on the types of scorn that Jesus received.
The Roman Soldiers and Jesus vs. 16-20. It’s almost ironic to me that crouched within this scenario of the soldiers denigration of someone they presumed to be a religious/political Jewish upstart is the tragic reality that their brutality is directed at the only Son of God, and the true King.
Pilate Mocks Jesus vs. 26 The sign of his charge was written not just in Hebrew but in multiple languages so that any local or traveler could read the invectively sarcastic remark from Pilate that this is what Rome did with kings of other nations; whether or not he had washed his hands of Jesus’ death.
The passersby mocked Jesus vs. 29-30. From the account in Mark’s gospel Golgotha must have been packed that day because there are the soldiers, the other thieves, Jesus’ friends and family, the chief religious leaders and also just people passing by. Whoever they were though, the must have been familiar with Jesus’ teaching or overheard it from others because they’re scorn is directed at an argument about the temple. Ironically, they were looking at the very God whose presence the temple was built to demonstrate among the people.
The religious leaders mock Jesus vs. 31-32 I find it very odd that the religious leaders claim that Jesus had saved others. If indeed they knew he had saved others and that salvation is only found through God then they must’ve known he was God. Why then would they need to see to believe? The hardened heart looks but doesn’t recognize.
The criminals mock Jesus vs. 32. Even those in the same situation as Jesus apparently were mocking him amidst their own suffering. If the shame of social rejection and humiliation of the bloody, naked, crucifixion were not enough he endured hours of ridicule from everyone around him before he died. What do we learn from this?
Today’s Spiritual discipline is reflection. Take some time to remember the crucifixion of Christ and how you have responded in the past. What types of response have you made? What happens to the image of the cross when we sin and harden our hearts toward God?
God, grant us humble hearts to look and see the sacrifice of Jesus, your Beloved Only Son, and help us to remember. Amen.