The Pilgrim Path---Mark 15: 27 – 32 (4—7—23)

And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

“…HE CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF”

This Man of the Ages brings to life the taunts of his enemies as he dies. As The Living Word his life blood streams from his body and his foes wag their heads like dogs (Psalm 22). His persecutors mock him: “Use your power King! Stop all this! You saved others---Deliver yourself!” Alas---The Savior must give HIMSELF for moral rebels. There is no other way. HE must die for the sins of HIS own---even though HE has no sin of HIS own.HE might have consumed the World in wrath. Jesus consumed the World in Redemptive Love. Look in Wonder…

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5: 8

“...since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17: 2, 3

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3: 2, 3

From Samuel Rutherford: Put your hand to the pen and let the cross of your Lord Jesus have your submissive and resolute Amen.

From Isaac Watts: Don’t be content with mere externals and outward forms of the Christian life. We must daily seek conversation with God in our daily secret exercises as we retire with him…Remember that the hypocrite can imitate zeal or devotion in public. True Christians are known by the exercises of the hidden life in secret transactions between God and the soul. True religion is in the heart and the spirit, and not in outward forms. Here the Christian receives his praise from God and not man!

Grace & Peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason