Today we read again the account of the crucifixion of Jesus in Mark 15. Look at verses 17-20:
17 And they dressed Him in [a] purple [robe], and, weaving together a crown of thorns, they placed it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, Hail (greetings, good health to You, long life to You), King of the Jews! 19 And they struck His head with a staff made of a [bamboo-like] reed and spat on Him and kept bowing their knees in homage to Him. 20 And when they had [finished] making sport of Him, they took the purple [robe] off of Him and put His own clothes on Him. And they led Him out [of the city] to crucify Him.
Now look at verses 28-32:
28 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, He was counted among the transgressors. 29 And those who passed by kept reviling Him and reproaching Him abusively in harsh and insolent language, wagging their heads and saying, Aha! You Who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 Now rescue Yourself [from death], coming down from the cross! 31 So also the chief priests, with the scribes, made sport of Him to one another, saying, He rescued others [from death]; Himself He is unable to rescue. 32 Let the Christ (the Messiah), the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see [it] and trust in and rely on Him and adhere to Him! Those who were crucified with Him also reviled and reproached Him [speaking abusively, harshly, and insolently].
THIS is how the very people that Jesus was dying for were treating Him! What would WE have done under similar circumstances? When YOUR life seems tough and people don't treat you right, meditate on this from Hebrews 12:1-3:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. KJV
What was the "contradiction"? It was the fact that the very people who NEEDED this Savior were mocking Him and scorning Him! But Jesus still followed through with this great plan for our Salvation "for the joy that was set before Him"! What was that joy? YOU! Look at these verses now from the Amplified Bible:
1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Psalms 110:1.] 3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. AMP
All of the tests, trials, situations and circumstances that we go through in this life are NOTHING compared to what HE went through for US! AMEN! Renew your thankfulness and gratefulness to Him for this wonderful gift every day and you will find yourself with the strength, patience, perseverance and persistence that you need to be more than a conqueror in every situation! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Take Heart":
Shalom in Him!
