MOCKERY AT THE CROSS

Matthew 27:39-43

Intro.: On the day of Christ’s crucifixion, some at the cross -  
 “mocked”  = jeered at, taunted, scoffed;

  “reviled, railed”  = blasphemed, defamed, spoke irreverently;

  “derided” = sneered at, expressed scorn & contempt. 

I. They Denied the Power of Christ.     v.40

  “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,  
  save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the  
  cross.” 

• Jesus was not nailed to the cross because He was weak , but because He was strong !
• It was not the nails or guards that held Jesus on that cross, but it was His divine love !

II. They Denied the Purpose of Christ.    v.42

“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of  
 Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will 
    believe him.” 

• To Jesus it was not a matter of “ cannot ”, but a matter of       “ would not .”
• Christ’s mission was not to save Himself , but to “save the lost ”!

Luke 19:10;  Matt. 20:28;  John 3:17

• They said they would believe if He came down, but it is precisely because He did not come down that we do believe.

III. They Denied the Person of Christ.    v.43

  “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him:  
  for he said, I am the Son of God.” 

• They used Scripture to attack Jesus’ relationship with His Father.     Psalm 22:8
• These religious leaders read & listened, but never believed !            James 1:22

Concl.: “The King of Love was rejected by the objects of His love.”

  Christ’s response? – Jesus did not cry out for His deliverance,  
  nor for vengeance – He called out for Mercy !    
   “Father, forgive them.”