When you face the unjust assaults of an evil world, remember Jesus. The world says, “Defend yourself!” but Jesus was silent (vv. 1–5). The world says, “Pamper yourself!” but Jesus refused the drug (v. 23). The world says, “Save yourself!” but Jesus remained on the cross and finished the work the Father gave Him to do (v. 30).
The chief priests were guilty of envy (v. 10), and Pilate was guilty of compromise (v. 15). Their sins led to the release of an evil man (v. 15), the embarrassment of an innocent man (v. 21), and the death of a good Man (v. 25); yet envy and compromise are not looked upon as terrible sins today. Should they be?
Man was doing his worst, but God was doing His best and fulfilling His Word (vv. 28, 34): “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom. 5:20). And He did it for you and me!
Simon and the Cross
Simon of Cyrene had probably come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (Acts 2:10), and he met the Lamb of God! It seems certain that he was converted and went home to lead his two sons to faith in Christ. These men were known to Mark’s Roman readers, so they must have become leaders in the church (Rom. 16:13). The next time your plans are interrupted and you have to carry another cross, remember what Simon did for Jesus—and what Jesus did for Simon.
Jesus Gave Himself
The devil told Jesus, “Serve Yourself!” (Matt. 4:3–4). Peter said, “Pity Yourself!” (Matt. 16:21–23). His unsaved relatives said, “Show Yourself!” (John 7:4). The crowd at Calvary said, “Save Yourself!” But Jesus was deaf to all those appeals and gave Himself.
