April 14 | Mock
Read Mark 14:21-32
The King of The Jews. Matthew and Mark tell us that the sign on Jesus’ cross was the charge against him. John tells us that it was there at Pilate’s direction. In all the Gospels, the crowd mocks Jesus with the phrase.
“Save yourself!” “Come on down if you can!” “He can save others, but he can’t save Himself!”
I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be in such pain, on behalf of others. To allow people He created to pin Him to a cross, made out of a tree that He created. And then to hear the crowd mocking Him as He died. For them.
The ESV says people derided Him. Mocked Him. Reviled Him. Wagged their heads at Him. Spit at him. Slapped Him. Pressed a crown of thorns into His head. Scourged Him.
And through this all, in Mark’s Gospel, He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t resist. He doesn’t fight back. He rejects the myrrh and wine- a narcotic to dull His pain. He fully consciously makes His choice to endure it all.
I don’t know what to do with that. What control. What determination. What compassion. What love.
As you read or sing the lyrics of this old hymn, take some time to respond to what we’ve read in awe and wonder.
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Lyrics by Isaac Watts, 1707
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.