Join the Crowd or Stand Your Ground

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

They thought they had the last say in the matter. As they walked by, they hurled insults at Jesus hanging on the cross, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself (Mark 15:29-30, NIV).” The Chief priests and teachers of the law joined in on the insults: “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe (Mark 15:31-32).”

But it was never about saving himself, it was never about proving a point. It was all about saving others. In a world that so often elevates self, Jesus modeled selfless devotion to God. Through his death and resurrection, he brought us salvation from sin. He taught us to die to self and to live for him; to live for the eternal.

It’s amazing to me how so many people saw Jesus on the cross, saw the son of God before them, yet chose to dismiss him and even mock him. For some like the Pharisees it wasn’t enough to just dismiss him — they had to stop the threat. These selfish acts stood in stark contrast to Jesus’ selfless act of dying for us. I have often wondered where I would’ve stood on that day — would I have joined the crowd and mocked Jesus or would I have responded as the Centurion standing by the cross, “Surely this man was the Son of God (Mark 15:39).”

Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. – Luke 9:26

© 2019 CGThelen

11 thoughts on “Join the Crowd or Stand Your Ground”

  1. Your post encourages all of us to contemplate how we would have acted as Jesus was being crucified. I think of persecuted Christians around the globe who have chosen to stand their ground. Christ stood his ground. How can we do anything less?

  3. “In a world that so often elevates self, Jesus modeled selfless devotion to God.” Excellent point. Our ‘self’ nature is nasty and must be put to death. I am so thankful for Jesus. He is our model of ‘self’less devotion. We rarely see that devotion today.

    As one who has stood against the crowd with Jesus I can honestly say it is not easy. He is worth it though.

    Blessings,
    Homer Les
    http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca

    1. Praise God for your boldness. As believers, you are an inspiration to us. It is a daily challenge to be bold for Christ Jesus. Blessings.

      “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

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