Mark 15:20-32
20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”
Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
The myrrh that was offered to Jesus (at verse 23) could act as a narcotic, providing some numbness to His mind and body. This is exactly why Jesus refused to drink it. In other words, He was confirming that avoiding suffering is not the way of God, and He was fulfilling God’s will to drink the whole cup (the dregs) of wrath (see Isaiah 51:17).
Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Christ who is to come fulfills more prophecy at verse 24. What Scripture is that?
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.
(Psalm 22:18 NKJV)
Verse 28 contains within it the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” So Jesus, being placed with two robbers, is yet another fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Then, at verses 29-32, when the mocking words of passerby’s with the chief priests and scribes are spoken, it’s, yet again, all fulfillment of prophecy:
All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
“He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
(Psalm 22:7-8 NKJV)
Fulfillment upon fulfillment! Unbelieving flesh desires not the suffering way of God; even calling for Jesus to avoid it. Now who could possibly be behind those ‘salvation changing’ mockings? Thanks be to God, Jesus remained the faithful, fulfilling suffering servant. And He did it for you!
Let us pray: Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the power of sin, death and the devil; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
