It is sometimes called Holy Week. Others prefer Easter or Resurrection Day. But it is that time on the Christian calendar when the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are front and center. Of course it is not the huge and extended holiday celebration that takes the nation over and sends children to bed on Christmas Eve with “visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads" Today that line would have to be adjusted dramatically to include visions of smart phones, Ipods, and Netbooks!
Christmas and Easter are different but they work together as a single indivisible unit. They are both part of the core and foundation of the Christian faith. Remove either and you have nothing with the exception of an entire human race in deep trouble and having no way to atone for their sins before a holy God. Without Christ’s birth at Christmas there would never have been the opportunity for His ministry, crucifixion, or glorious resurrection to follow. Had the incarnation taken place, but with no crucifixion and resurrection to follow, the race of men would still remain lost in sin and having no advocate to plead their case before a righteous Creator and judge of the earth. Again, both events are related and absolutely essential to God's redemptive plan!
There are scores of profound verses in God’s Word. Actually they are all special since they all originate from His infinite mind and are preserved through the use of His hand-picked biblical authors. But it is obvious that some verses carry more impact than do others. There are verses so significant and so powerful as to nearly all alone lead a lost sinner to salvation in Christ. Classic examples would be John 3:16 or perhaps Ephesians 2:8-9. And many believers will site certain verses that have become personal favorites or have some special meaning to them for one reason or another.
But when it comes to the season surrounding the resurrection there are many marvelous and meaningful passages with great spiritual significance. But for me, there is one in Mark 15 that has always seemed unique and special. The reason for its impact is mainly because of what was said, but perhaps even more because of who it was that said it.
This very short passage contains some of the shortest, but greatest, words of theological truth ever spoken. But sadly, they were offered up by some who were about as spiritually uninformed as anyone could be. They were without question marvelous words of life-changing truth. But again, were spoken through the ignorant lips of sinners who harassed the very one, and only one, who could save them from the horrors of an eternity in hell.
Mark 15:27 describes how two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on His left and the other on His right. Verse 28 reveals, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." This was just one of the hundreds of prophecies concerning Jesus Christ that were fulfilled in Scripture. Verse 29 then describes the hostile reaction by those who gathered o that fateful day to view the horrific and cruel death of an innocent man. Perhaps that was the entertainment for the day for some . Of this bunch, verses 29-30 state, “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" None of them realized that Christ could have done just that, and might have, had it not been for the infinite and special love He felt for each and every one of them.
But it is verse 31 that has always intrigued me since the first time I read it and was able to fully understand the simple but profound truth it revealed. This time the taunting of the suffering Savior originated from some of the more verbal and constant opponents of His earthly ministry. It was in this strange moment in time when their hatred of Jesus coupled with their 'seeming' victory over Him verbally spilled out for all to hear. It was in their great bitterness, and even greater ignorance, that came some of the most theologically astounding words ever spoken. Verse 31 reads, “Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
Just linger on those final seven words for a moment. At perhaps the most important moment in human history it was the most spiritually lost of that moment who stated the greatest truth of the moment concerning the mechanics of true salvation. They were as right as they could possibly have been about Jesus saving others only by not saving Himself. Had Jesus come down from the cross and saved Himself, and He could have, He would not have been able to save another single soul from the eternal wrath deserved by all. Only by remaining upon the cross until the appointed time of his death could He finally cry out the words that would change the course of human history and eternity!
The Apostle John describes the final moments of the epic scene in chapter 19 as follows. “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:28-30)
By not saving Himself, the Son of God gave opportunity for all who would in faith trust Him as Savior to themselves be saved from the power, guilt, and eventual penalty of sin.
Mark 15:31 may just be is my favorite Easter/Resurrection verse. But my all-time favorite salvation verse amazingly dovetails perfectly with it. It comes from the pen of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter one. And it also includes both those who understand exactly why Jesus would never have come down from the cross to save Himself along with those tragic lost souls who were never able to figure that great truth out.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)
Bill Breckenridge
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