PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:27-32
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Let this Messiah come down now… that we may see and believe.” (Mark 15:32)
I have heard people say these very words.
‘Where is this Jesus you believe in, let him show himself!’
When our Messiah does not perform as demanded, they refuse to believe.
Like Thomas after the resurrection, ‘Unless I see, I will not believe’.
In this scene, Jesus does not ‘perform’ for a good reason.
He is up to something better, the most important thing he can do.
Jesus is in the process of beating Satan and sin, and setting us free.
If he were to ‘perform’ our way, we would not like the results.
The same is true now, Jesus is still up to something better.
When Jesus seems hidden, or unresponsive, he is not inactive.
Jesus is at work all the time, everywhere, confirming his victory.
He is using me and my life – and everyone else’s – as part of his plan.
He has his reasons when he does not ‘come down’ when we ask him to.
Better to surrender to his hidden purpose, than have him meet my demands.
PRAYER
Lord, this is true, but still not easy. Sometimes I really do wish you would do something visible, miraculous. But even if I do not see, yet I will trust in you!
In the face of tremendous pain and difficulty even to breathe – Jesus is taunted even more. He knows that he is misunderstood but he also knows he has to accomplish his mission – he is on the cross to save others – not himself – he is on the cross to save me – to redeem me. But are these taunts by the people trying to convince themselves that they are right about crucifying Jesus – who proclaimed to be the long expected Messiah – as if doing so will justify their actions? Mobs seem to do that – but truth is often the first casualty – as it was with Jesus! But thanks be to Jesus for persevering right to the end – for me!
Even crucifying Jesus between two criminals was a way of mocking Him. All left Him. Yet the words they spoke about the King of Israel was true. Even coming down from the cross, but not in the way they expected. We still ask Christ to do things in our lives and He answers, but not in the way we/I expect. Open my eyes Lord that I may see Jesus in the events of every day. He reigns.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!