Matthew 27:32-44 The Crucifixion

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. “He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words. [Matthew 27:32-44 NASB]

The phrase "adding insult to injury" comes to mind. Jesus is on the cross. In just a few hours it will all be over. The priests and elders have won.

But winning was not enough. They had to gloat. Even as He was dying on the cross they continued trying to discredit Him through their mockery. They are implying that His death proves that He is not who He said He was.

Of course, they were wrong.

Ironically, in spite of being priests, and knowing the Levitical Law, they did not understand the nature of sacrifice. Their imaginations didn't extend further than the blood of bulls and goats spilled on the altar.

We are told;

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time,  sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [Hebrews 10:11-14 NASB]

Under the Law, the priests would sacrifice over and over for the sins of the people. The blood of the bulls and goats were a symbol of the covenant between God and Israel. But the blood of animals could never truly cleanse the sins of the people, and had to be repeated again and again. The Bible teaches that these things were mere copies or types of the original, heavenly reality;

Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. [Hebrews 9:23-28 NASB]

In their ignorance, the priests and elders played into God's hands. By killing the Son of God, they played their role in creating a New Covenant that replaces the Old.

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. [Hebrews 9:15-16 NASB]

Jesus was a willing sacrifice. He could have called legions of angels for His defense. But He did not resist. Instead He allowed Himself to led like a lamb to the slaughter.

He did this for us; so that we would be forgiven. There is no need for us to make a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins because Jesus was our sacrifice. 

All He asks from us is faith. Paul tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." [Romans 10:9 NASB]

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus your Lord, I would urge you to pray this prayer;

Heavenly Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I believe that He died for me, and has risen from the dead. I ask You to forgive me of my sins, and fill me with Your Spirit. Thank You for your salvation. Amen.