God’s Grace

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. Mark 15:25-33, 37 (KJV)


As we examine this passage from the Gospel of Mark, we envision Calvary on the day of our Lord’s death. Jesus is nailed to a cross with an accusation written over his head. He’s hanging there because he had the audacity to call himself the King of the Jews. But he’s not there alone. There are two criminals also being crucified for their crimes at the same time. There is no record in the scriptures that suggest that anyone mocked or made fun of the two thieves that were being crucified although even one of them admitted that they deserved what they were getting. Here these three men are nailed to crosses on display publically. They have been stripped of their clothing and beaten right up to the point of death but kept alive for the grand finale. Among those who passed by or stopped by that day were many who found cause to ridicule Jesus because of the ministry he had. Some of them now publically questioned his teachings. How can you destroy a temple and build it again in three days when it seems as though you cannot even get yourself out of a crucifixion? Since you offered to save us why don’t you demonstrate how by saving yourself first? Why don’t you take a little of your own medicine Jesus? The top folks in the religious pecking order apparently saw this as restoring their previous positions of honor among the people so they took this time to declare that he saved others but he did not have the power to save himself. So they challenged Jesus to show them yet one more sign to support or substantiate his claim of being the Messiah. They weren’t willing to accept all of the other signs and wonders but instead wanted to create their own conditions for salvation. After six hours of suffering and humiliation, Jesus screamed in agony and then dismissed his spirit from his body and died.

God’s grace was displayed in its fullness in the presence of mankind’s mockery and ingratitude. The Savior died in the presence of those who mocked his suffering and shame. The religious leaders, who should have known better, were ring leaders of the ridicule that was heaped upon Jesus as he hung on the cross. Insensitive people gambled for Jesus’ clothes at the foot of the cross while he hung there bleeding in pain and agony. Even crooks that were being crucified along with Jesus took a little time out from their own suffering to laugh at Jesus. I think it is strange how someone can be in the same predicament that you are in but if they get a chance to kick you while you are both down, you better look out. People can be lowdown that way.

Every now and then when I get to rolling around in the blessings of God and thinking about just how good God has been to me, I am reminded of Jesus’ suffering on Calvary. Oftentimes when I hear messages of prosperity and walking in favor, I am jolted back to reality as images of Calvary invade my mind. Jesus didn’t suffer to make my earthly life easier or fun; instead, he died that I might live eternally with him in a world without sin.

There are so many ways that God could have brought about the death of his only begotten son for the sins of the world. So, why would he choose a mode of death that had so much shame associated with it? The victims of crucifixion hung on a cross after they had been stripped of their clothing and beaten to the very brink of death. They were then kept barely alive so that the final minutes or hours could be in public humiliation. Crucifixion was reserved for the lowest of the lowest criminals. This was society’s way of sending a clear message to any would be criminals so that they could think twice about breaking the law. So, why would God choose a mode of death that had so much pain associated with it? Jesus could have dismissed his spirit from his body and left the flesh to react to the loss of life in it and to begin the slow process of decomposition. This could have been done without the beatings, the slapping, the thorns pressed down on his head, or the spear being thrust into his side. Indeed, Jesus’ death could have come without the public drama where many made sport of it. But there is something about God’s grace that demanded a mode of death that would be as painful, as cruel, and as ugly as the sins that it would wipe away.

In the midst of the ridicule and mocking, somebody unknowingly spoke a word of truth. That statement is the very embodiment of the gospel message. One of the chief priests had unknowingly stated the message of the gospel when he said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. How true those words are indeed. In order for us to be saved, Jesus had to sacrifice himself to satisfy God. If we were to be saved, Jesus could not save himself. Our salvation mandated that Jesus give up his sinless life as our ransom. The evening before Calvary Jesus had checked to see if there was another way to save us from our sins. He prayed to the Father three times and begged saying if it be possible then let this bitter cup pass from me. I am grateful today that Jesus accepted his Father’s answer. Calvary was necessary to bring the grace of God into this world in full measure. It was necessary because our sins were abounding. But where sin did abound, grace did much more abound. No matter how far sin went, God’s grace went farther in order to save us. God’s grace is an overcoming grace. It doesn’t matter what sin one might have committed if you turn your life over to God, God’s grace is sufficient. It doesn’t matter how bad your situation may seem to you, God’s grace can reach way down and lift you up. I’m glad today that Jesus couldn’t save himself because I need God’s grace. Not just when I first accepted Jesus but I need his grace everyday of my life. When I get to the point where I want to throw in the towel I remember that Jesus suffered, bled and died for me. When I get frustrated and I want to give up on people, I remember that Jesus couldn’t save himself because he had to die to save me. Then I think about Jesus getting up from the grave on Sunday morning and declaring that all power in Heaven and on earth is in his hands. I remember that he went back to glory but he’s coming back again to receive all of us that have accepted the salvation that he has given by his own death. God’s grace is all we need.


Robert C. Hudson
March 7, 2010