On Good Friday, we arrive at the day that all of human history had been barreling toward since God promised to crush the head of the serpent in Gen 3:15. The day when Jesus, the very Son of God, the man who had never defied God’s law, was crucified in the way usually reserved for the worst criminals in the Roman Empire. By this horrible death, he paid the price for our sin “once for all when he offered up himself” (Heb 7:27).
As we reflect on the events of this day, we could consider many aspects of Good Friday: the fulfillment of prophecy, the attitudes of the ruling authorities toward Jesus, or the disciples abandoning him. But today, consider for a moment the mocking that Jesus endured for us on the cross.
After the Jewish authorities arrested Jesus and convinced the Roman governor Pilate to execute him, we can pick up in Matthew 27:37–44, at the scene of the crucifixion.
37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “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.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “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. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
Notice all of the groups that mocked and scorned the Lord Jesus. The Roman authorities mockingly placed a sign over Jesus that said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” People passing by derided him (v. 39). Chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked him (v. 41). Even the robbers crucified with him reviled him (v. 44).
What do all these groups have in common? On the one hand, not much. They were from all levels of society. The Roman authorities were at the top of the heap in first-century Palestine. They had no concept of a suffering conqueror. Military might had won the empire, and military might would keep the empire. The people passing by represent the majority of the Jewish people. Even though it probably wasn’t the exact same crowd who welcomed him on Palm Sunday, the people passing by were many of the same people who were looking to him for miraculous healing or deliverance. They misunderstood his kingdom and mocked a crucified Messiah. The chief priests and other leaders mocked the idea of salvation through suffering. “He saved others; he cannot save himself!” Even the two criminals crucified alongside him were mocking him as they were dying with him. Perhaps all that these groups had in common is that none of them could see that Jesus was accomplishing his mission through his intense suffering.
Every level of society in first-century Palestine rejected Jesus. It wasn’t as if all the powerful rejected him while all the outcasts believed in him. It is true that many poor and rejected people saw and believed in Jesus, but both many rich and many poor rejected him. Here at his lowest point, as he suffered in every way, everyone around him was mocking his pain. And he endured that for us, his beloved people.
At my lowest moments, I often long for a simple encouragement from my wife, my kids, or the people who are closest to me. I need those reminders to keep my eyes focused on what is most important and lasting. But imagine if, at your lowest moments, all you heard was more mocking, more slander, more shaming. This is what the Lord Jesus endured for us.
The tragedy of everything that these groups said in mocking is that they were close to the truth. He is the King of Jews. He was going to rebuild the true temple in three days through his resurrection. He truly is the Son of God. And by freely choosing not to come down from the cross, he did save others.
Through the pain of this mocking, he was accomplishing the mission that he had been born to complete. Even as they scorned him, they could not see that Jesus was completing his mission and winning a people for himself. As Hebrews later tells us, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). On this Good Friday, let’s run to the one who scorned the shame of the cross for us and won for his beloved people such a great salvation.
Chris Bruno is Associate Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Bethlehem Seminary. He previously served as pastor of discipleship and training at Harbor Church in Honolulu, HI. He has written and co-written five books, including Paul vs. James (Moody, 2019). He is a member of the St. John Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
