Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
LUKE 23:35-39 | 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
There were many false Messiahs who were executed by the Romans. History tells of several who gathered followers and proclaimed their royal status and who planned revolution, only to die ignominiously. In each case their deaths marked the end of their movements. Opponents, and followers also, reasoned that only a living and triumphant Messiah could be genuine. Capture and death automatically delegitimized someone’s claims and disqualified them as a possible Messiah.
The leaders, the soldiers, and finally one of the dying criminals, mock Jesus for “Messiah failure.” They make unintentionally profound remarks, calling on Jesus to save Himself. By sacrificing Himself, He did save others!
What things, apart from the cross, made Jesus a surprising Messiah?
