Day One Mark 15:21-32
21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.
24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.*
29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. – Mark 15:21-32 (NLT)
*Some manuscripts add verse 28, And the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among those who were rebels.”
Discover
1. What words are used to describe Simon? What is he forced to do (verse 21)?
2. What is being referenced in the mention of the Temple being destroyed and rebuilt (verse 29)?
3. How does Jesus respond to the mocking?
Respond
Jesus is silent while His enemies mock Him. Silence is often more powerful than a few words. Jesus chooses not to defend Himself to His enemies. Instead, He shows self-control and full submission to the Father’s will. When you face opposition or conflict, consider the motives behind words you might want to speak. Whose glory are you seeking? Spend some time in prayer about a conflict you're in right now or one you've had in the past. Ask God to help you engage in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
For Further Reading: More on verse 29
For Families with Kids at Home
Jesus could have used His power to save Himself at any time, and yet He chose to hold back instead of retaliating. In a world that teaches “an eye for an eye,” we have the opportunity to show our kids the upside-down way of Jesus - that Jesus called us to “pray for our enemies” and was even willing to go to a cross for them!
Take time this week to highlight how Jesus doesn’t retaliate, even when doing so is within His rights! Instead, He chooses to love His enemies.
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.