Jesus Crucified on the Cross (3)

[Mark 15:21–32]

While Jesus was suffering on the cross, people mocked Him, insulted Him, ridiculed Him, and hurled abuse at Him. Who mocked, insulted, ridiculed, and cursed Jesus who was crucified on the cross?

1. Passersby insulted Jesus. Mark 15:29–30 says,
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’”

2. The chief priests mocked Jesus. Mark 15:31–32 says,
“In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

3. The teachers of the law ridiculed Jesus. Mark 15:31 says,
“In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him…”
Matthew 27:41 adds,
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.”

4. The elders mocked Jesus. Matthew 27:41–43 says,
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.”’”

5. The rulers, as members of the Sanhedrin and leaders of the Jews, mocked Jesus. Luke 23:35 says,
“The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’”

6. The soldiers also mocked Jesus. Luke 23:36–37 says,
“The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’”

7. The criminals crucified with Him also hurled insults at Him. Matthew 27:44 says,
“In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

These seven groups of people—(1) passersby, (2) chief priests, (3) teachers of the law, (4) elders, (5) rulers, (6) soldiers, and (7) criminals—mocked, ridiculed, and insulted Jesus as He hung on the cross. What did they say? “Save yourself and come down from the cross.” In other words, they were telling Him to save Himself from death and live.

But this was the work of Satan. Satan did not want Jesus to die on the cross. More specifically, Satan did not want Jesus to bear the sins of all humanity and die on the cross. That’s because Satan never wants us to receive forgiveness of sins and be saved.

Before Jesus began His ministry, He was tempted by Satan three times (Luke 4:1–13). As He was about to finish His ministry—on the cross—He was also tempted three times (based on Luke’s Gospel):

• First Temptation: Luke 23:35 — “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’”

• Second Temptation: Luke 23:36–37 — “The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’”

• Third Temptation: Luke 23:39 — “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’”

The purpose of Satan’s three temptations was to get Jesus to save Himself from the cross—to avoid death. In other words, Satan used the rulers (v. 35), the soldiers (v. 36), and one of the criminals (v. 39) to tempt Jesus three times with the same message: “Save yourself.”

What lesson does this teach us? Satan tempts us continually from beginning to end during our time on earth. He mocks and tempts us so that we live according to man’s will instead of dying to ourselves and following God’s will.

Satan uses a progression in his temptations: starting with people who seem distant like the “rulers,” then using people who are a bit closer like the “soldiers,” and finally using the one who is closest—someone like the “criminal on the cross beside us.” In my view, the most dangerous temptation is the one that comes from someone closest to us, even our own family.

For example, when Job was suffering, his wife said to him,
“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)
But Job replied,
“You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (v. 10, Modern Korean Version)

Why was Jesus mocked, ridiculed, and insulted on the cross?
It was because of our sins. Jesus bore the mockery, ridicule, and insults that we should have received.

The Bible had already prophesied this in Psalm 22:6–8 (Modern Korean Version):
“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. ‘He trusts in the Lord,’ they say, ‘let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.’”

God’s will is to save those whom He foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:30). Jesus endured all shame on the cross to fulfill the will of God.

Jesus endured all the shame and suffering on the cross “while we were still weak” (Rom 5:6), “while we were still sinners” (v. 8), and “while we were God’s enemies” (v. 10), for our sake, who deserved punishment for sin.

Therefore, when we reflect on Jesus who endured all the shame and suffering on the cross, we should shed tears of gratitude and deep emotion.

New Hymn 143, “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” (Korean version)

• Verse 4: “When I behold the cross, I am so grateful that I cannot lift my face but only weep.”

• Verse 5: “Even if I weep forever, I know tears alone cannot repay Him. I have nothing else but my body, so I offer myself.”

As we look to the crucified Jesus who bore all our sins and punishment, we must live for Him by offering our bodies, minds, and lives out of thanksgiving—even if we know this truth in our minds, we often fail to grasp it in our hearts. Why? Because our hearts have become as hard as diamond (Zechariah 7:12), and our foreheads harder than flint (Ezekiel 3:9).

What should we do?
New Hymn 87, “My Lord's Garment Was Soiled with Blood” (Korean version)

• Verse 2: “My Lord endured all bitter suffering; when I behold the cross He bore, I weep.”

We must humbly approach the cross in faith, deeply meditate on the suffering He bore on our behalf, and earnestly pray. We must let go of worldly greed and pride, and as we come to know the great grace of the Lord more deeply, we who have received such love should offer not only tears of gratitude but also tears of dedication.

New Hymn 149, “The Cross of Christ Where He Died”
New Hymn 150, “On a Hill Far Away (The Old Rugged Cross)” – Verse 2:
“Though despised and rejected, I am drawn to His cross.”

New Hymn 323, “I Have Been Called and Sent” – Verse 3:
“To You alone belong honor, glory, and all authority.
I will carry the despised and scorned cross.
Though unknown and unseen, I will serve You with thanksgiving.”