The insults hurled at Jesus are filled with irony for those of us that are blessed to know the whole story. "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!" We know that the temple of his body is destroyed on the cross, but will be raised up in glory in three days. "He saved others, but he can't save himself!" By giving up his life, he will make possible not just saving others, but saving the whole world from sin and death. "He trusts God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, "I am the Son of God." Dying on the cross is the ultimate example of trust in God, believing that God's will, will be carried out in the end. Jesus has heard similar taunts before, from Satan in the wilderness and Caiphas the High Priest, who wanted Jesus to show him a sign of his power.
I am reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:18. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." For those taunting Jesus, this was foolishness. God's Son would never die on a cross! Ridiculous! This man is surely a phony! But, in this "foolishness," God's true love and power will be revealed. This "foolishness" is about to defeat sin and death forever!
It is surely easy to allow ourselves to be filled with pride for our accomplishments or for other reasons. But here we see Jesus completed submitted to God the Father. He is doing God's will, even if that meant dying for the world's sins. The key to overcoming pride is submission- submission to the One who made us and bought us back in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And as we submit, we also trust, believing that God will carry out God's will in our lives.
My suffering is nothing compared to what Christ endured and He endured this torture, torment, and humiliation for me. Today, may I count my many blessings knowing that Christ has won the battle and my petty complaints are just that.
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