Matthew 27:38-44
The Pharisees had gotten what they’d wanted. They had convinced Pilate to crucify Jesus even though Pilate was originally determined to set him free. They had finally triumphed over a political enemy who had threatened to steal away the hearts of the people and usurp their power. Arrested, beaten, tried, whipped, tried again, beaten again, their enemy had been led out with two common criminals to be killed in the most publicly humiliating and painful way possible.
And still it wasn’t enough. Out they came to the foot of his cross, these religious professionals who had managed to have Jesus killed, simply couldn’t help themselves. It was wholly unnecessary yet completely unavoidable. They hated him. They hated him with a hate so deep that they needed to spit in his face and gloat one last time.
So to Golgotha they came, to the foot of his cross, to condemn themselves. They came to where every rescued sinner under Divine grace comes for mercy, but instead they stood and mocked him to his face. It is a picture of unspeakable horror: the perfect unbelief – the act of denying the only sacrifice that can save you from your sin and the depths of hell.
The professional moralists mocked him at his feet, and those justly hanging next to him mocked him at his side. And even still he loved them as he loves us even now, and through his death he offers eternal life to all who would come to him.
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