When Enemies Preach the Gospel, Part 4

The last gospel sermon from Christ’s enemies that we will consider in this series is the one preached by the chief priests and the scribes, who mocked our Lord as he hung upon the cross.

Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

The chief priests and scribes were joining in the mockery of those who were challenging Christ to prove Himself by coming down from the cross. It was in connection with this challenge that they mocked our Lord saying: “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” Christ indeed had saved others during His ministry on this earth. His miracles were miracles of salvation, saving men from physical, emotional, circumstantial, and spiritual calamities. But now in the time of His dire calamity, Christ could not save Himself.

Little did these chief priests and scribes realize that it was in order to save others that Jesus did not save Himself. Had he saved Himself, we all would have perished in our sin. It was absolutely necessary that He suffer and die on that cross, because that was the means God had determined to make satisfaction for the sins of His people and thus to secure their salvation from sin and all its consequences. Had Christ not suffered and died on that cross, He would not have obeyed His Father.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The very determinate counsel of God was being fulfilled in that crucifixion death.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain….

Had Christ come down from that cross, Christ would have disobeyed His Father and the counsel of God would have come to nought. This would never be. This could never be. Had Christ come down from that cross, His whole ministry would have been a lie and His miracles a cheat. It was because He was God’s Christ appointed to die on that cross that He had been able to save others. Indeed, the chief priests and scribes had it right: “Himself he cannot save.” Unbeknown to themselves, they were proclaiming the gospel.

And not saving Himself, our Lord has saved others, yea, a multitude no man can number, a multitude redeemed by the blood He was shedding on that cross.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation….

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

It fascinates me that the life and ministry of our Lord was such that even some of the criticisms leveled against Him were testimonies to the truth of His mission. Thank God, He did not save Himself. In not saving Himself, He saved me!