As we look back upon those who mocked Christ when he was being crucified it is easy from our perspective to look down our noses at them as if we would have been better, and done differently. But here is the harsh reality, EVERYONE rejected Christ in that moment. EVERYONE! His closest friends, his countrymen, the rich, the poor, the oppressors and the oppressed. Everyone rejected Christ all for there own reasons. Christ was a threat to them in some way, he was a threat to their lives, a threat to their freedom, and a threat to their identity. He was a political threat, a cultural threat, a religious threat, even a threat to their sense of social justice. Everyone rejected Christ because following him would cost them something. And the truth is if we were there at that time, we would do the same. What separates us from them is time and God’s grace.
Which is another thing we need to see in Christ crucifixion, his grace. Christ suffered on the cross to make atonement for His people, those who would have faith in him. And we know that His people are from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Christ died for all types of people. Rich and poor; powerful and weak; Jews and gentiles; His closest friends and his worst enemies; Christ even died for those who are oppressors as well as the oppressed. The truth is God in Christ has richly lavished his grace on all of us who are completely undeserving.
