Unlimited: Those Crucified With Him | Good News Unlimited
Unlimited: Those Crucified With Him
Aug 28, 2024 1108
Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him (Mark 15:32, NIV).
Jesus was crucified together with two criminals. Their crosses were close enough so they could hear each other when they spoke.
As you listen in, you might hear something that might surprise you.
Traditionally, we think that Jesus was crucified between two thieves: a “good” thief and a “bad” thief.
However, this is incorrect. Neither of them were “good” and neither of them were actually just “thieves.”
Notice that at the beginning of the crucifixion, Mark tells us that both of the men crucified with Christ insulted and mocked him; not just one of them.
And the Greek words that the other Gospels use for the men crucified with Jesus indicate that they were political-religious terrorists, much the same kind of people that we tend to despise in our own world today. They were both murderous thugs.
This helps explain the viciousness of their insults against Jesus. We can maybe understand why the evil chief priests would insult Jesus, but why would these men who were dying with him do the same? Mark says that they “heaped” insults on him. He wants us to see the depravity of their characters.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Perhaps there was a time in your life when you heaped insults upon Christ, through your words or through your actions. What were you thinking at the time? Were you thinking that what you were doing was right? Or were you thinking at all? If you haven’t done so, confess this before the Lord. And if you have already repented, meditate on his kind and loving grace toward you.
