Mocking the Claims of Jesus: Mark 14:29-32
“29) 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, 30) save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31) 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. 32) 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 15:29-32
Jesus endured much mocking and insults while hanging on the cross. When the main four lines of reasoning and mocking are synthesized from the four gospels, they can be fit into the following categories.
First, they mocked His claim of being Savior and Messiah. (Matthew 27:40, Mark 15:29-31, Luke 23:35)
Second, the mocked His claim of being the Son of God. (Matthew 27:40 & 43)
Third, they mocked His claim of being the King of Israel and rightful heir to the throne of David. (Mark 15.32; Luke 23:37)
Finally, they mocked His claim of being the Great Physician. (Luke 4:23, Luke 23:35)
These are significant. They represent four key offices that Jesus holds. They were each proclaimed and demonstrated during His public ministry. He wants people to know and trust Him in each area.
All of them were ultimately fulfilled by His willingness to die on the cross for lost humanity. Had Jesus come down from the cross to deliver Himself, He would have forfeited these offices and the characteristics represented by each of them.
Ultimately, Satan mocks and taunts the claims of Jesus in each of these roles. He taunts and targets the power, identity, authority and compassion of Jesus as expressed in turn by these four offices. He does not want people to be the beneficiaries of these offices of Jesus in their personal lives.
It was true of the crowd standing around the cross and it is true of humanity today. Satan works hard to mock and obscure the truth about Jesus Christ. He does not want people to know Him as Savior, God, King and Healer.
Over the years, I have come to know, accept, trust and depend on Jesus in each of these roles. He is now all of these things to me. I am embracing each office of Jesus in my personal life.
2 Peter 1:2 says; ““2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;”. The promises that follow in the next nine verses in the context of 2 Peter 1:3-11 are mind boggling. I leave you to study and embrace them for yourself.
Your journey to spiritual maturity will lead you to knowing, understanding and trusting Jesus Christ in each of His offices and in the fulness of His glory. The mockers surrounding the cross had no idea of the fate and curse they were pronouncing on themselves. A persons rejection of Jesus Christ leads to His ultimate rejection of them.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“29) 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, 30) save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31) 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. 32) 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 15:29-32
Jesus endured much mocking and insults while hanging on the cross. When the main four lines of reasoning and mocking are synthesized from the four gospels, they can be fit into the following categories.
First, they mocked His claim of being Savior and Messiah. (Matthew 27:40, Mark 15:29-31, Luke 23:35)
Second, the mocked His claim of being the Son of God. (Matthew 27:40 & 43)
Third, they mocked His claim of being the King of Israel and rightful heir to the throne of David. (Mark 15.32; Luke 23:37)
Finally, they mocked His claim of being the Great Physician. (Luke 4:23, Luke 23:35)
These are significant. They represent four key offices that Jesus holds. They were each proclaimed and demonstrated during His public ministry. He wants people to know and trust Him in each area.
All of them were ultimately fulfilled by His willingness to die on the cross for lost humanity. Had Jesus come down from the cross to deliver Himself, He would have forfeited these offices and the characteristics represented by each of them.
Ultimately, Satan mocks and taunts the claims of Jesus in each of these roles. He taunts and targets the power, identity, authority and compassion of Jesus as expressed in turn by these four offices. He does not want people to be the beneficiaries of these offices of Jesus in their personal lives.
It was true of the crowd standing around the cross and it is true of humanity today. Satan works hard to mock and obscure the truth about Jesus Christ. He does not want people to know Him as Savior, God, King and Healer.
Over the years, I have come to know, accept, trust and depend on Jesus in each of these roles. He is now all of these things to me. I am embracing each office of Jesus in my personal life.
2 Peter 1:2 says; ““2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;”. The promises that follow in the next nine verses in the context of 2 Peter 1:3-11 are mind boggling. I leave you to study and embrace them for yourself.
Your journey to spiritual maturity will lead you to knowing, understanding and trusting Jesus Christ in each of His offices and in the fulness of His glory. The mockers surrounding the cross had no idea of the fate and curse they were pronouncing on themselves. A persons rejection of Jesus Christ leads to His ultimate rejection of them.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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