Morning. Coffee. Communion. Musings.

I am struck this morning by how similar the mocking of the crowd present at Jesus’ crucifixion is to my own scoffing at the cross of Christ. Note the two verbal mockings recorded for us in Matthew 27.

"You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." (Matt 27:40)

"He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" (Matt 27:42-43)

At the moment, at least 5 things come to mind from these statements regarding my own response to Jesus’ death, and how I mock Jesus in my own way.

(1) I mock Jesus when I turn the truth of who he is, what he came to do, and what he has promised into fodder for my own petty complaining about my life and its comforts.

(2) I mock Jesus when I come with an agenda of my own that does not proceed from what he achieved for me on the cross.

(3) I mock Jesus when I demand that he perform for me and do so whenever I want.

(4) I mock Jesus when I view the cross as anything other than the power of God to save.

(5) I mock Jesus when I forget that he was, in fact, NOT ultimately forsaken by the Father, but was raised to new life (27:45-54).

Instead, today, may I be like the centurion, who was so powerfully moved by Jesus’ atoning work, that I am filled with awe at the Son of God!

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