Page 15 - February 2026 - Truth & Tidings

their faculties. The Lord, having tasted from the cross” (vv29-30). Believing the
and thus shown that He was aware of the claims of the false witnesses (14:57-59),
nature of the drink offered to Him, refused these passersby supposed that someone
it. He would not require alcohol to submit who truly had such power could, and
to what lay ahead, nor would He allow His would, free himself from the cross. The
senses to be dulled by it. His obedience to Lord could, but would not, save Himself.
the will of God would be conscious and “Likewise also the chief priests mocking
voluntary, to the end. said among themselves with the scribes,
Having crucified the Lord, the soldiers He saved others; himself he cannot save.
“parted his garments, casting lots upon Let Christ the King of Israel descend now
them, what every man should take” (v24). from the cross, that we may see and be-
Four soldiers divided up four items of lieve” (vv31-32). Added to the public ma-
clothing. This left a final item, His outer ligning by passersby was the whispered
coat. “They said therefore among them- mocking of chief priests and scribes. They
selves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, acknowledged the undeniable fact that
whose it shall be: that the scripture might “He saved others,” but used it to ridicule
be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my His apparent inability to save Himself.
raiment among them, and for my vesture Their logic was flawed, and their knowl-
they did cast lots” (Joh 19:24). Scripture edge of the Old Testament inadequate.
was being fulfilled unwittingly by the Ro- Christ, the King of Israel, deliberately
man soldiers in all their actions (Psa 22:18). laid down His life. Why? He must be
The Lord’s crucifixion took place at 9 “wounded for our transgressions” and
a.m. and lasted six hours, until 3 p.m. “bruised for our iniquities” (Isa 53:5). The
Mark first focuses on the period from 9 only person the Lord was unwilling to
a.m. until noon (vv25-32). These were save was Himself. He had predicted that
hours of daylight in which the Lord suf- “the Son of Man came not to be served but
fered publicly and shamefully from men. to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
The cause of His execution was plac- for many” (Mar 10:45 ESV).
arded above His head, “The King of the ’Twas mighty love’s constraining power
Jews” (v26). Intended by Pilate as an insult That made thee, blessed Saviour, die. 2
to the Jews, the statement was true, and Finally, “they that were crucified with
Pilate was unwilling to change it when the him reviled him” (v32). Soldiers, pass-
Jewish leaders protested (Joh 19:21-22). ersby, religious leaders and fellow suffer-
Crucified on each side of the Lord Jesus ers were united in mockery. Thus, during
was a thief. Their crimes would also have the first three hours of crucifixion, man’s
been displayed. And so the Scripture was guilt was laid bare, and the extent of the
fulfilled, “He was numbered with the Servant’s obedience revealed (Php 2:8).
transgressors” (v28; Isa 53:12). O thorn-crowned head in death bowed low,
The scene included not only victims and Obedience to surrendered breath!
perpetrators of crucifixion but observers. O Love most wonderful in woe,
First mentioned are those who passed Most beautiful in death! 3
by. These reviled Him, “Ah, thou that
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in 2 Edward Denny
three days, Save thyself, and come down 3 Isaac Y. Ewan

TruthandTidings.com I February 2026 47 47