Read Mark 15:23-32
Am I For Jesus Or Against Him?
It was about 9:00 a.m. when Jesus was first hung on the cross during His Crucifixion. Above his head was written the charge against him. The sign read: “King of the Jews!” Jesus was charged by Pilate for being “The King of the Jews.” This ticked off the religious leaders and the elders. Rather than focusing on what they could do for Jesus, people responded on what they could do against him.
1. Rather than protecting Jesus, the Messiah, the king of the Jews, the soldiers cast lots to determine who would get which articles of clothing of Jesus.
2. Rather than worshiping the King of the Jews, the Messiah, those who passed by hurled insults at him, saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!”
3. Rather than the religious leaders turning to the crowd and teaching the people how Jesus is the Messiah, the coming King, through the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”
4. There were two robbers that were crucified with Christ. One on his right, and the other on his left. Rather than pleading with Jesus for forgiveness, at first, they both heaped insults on him.
I want to know, are you for Jesus or against Him? Jesus once said in Matthew 12:30, the one who is not with me, is against me.
I’m not asking how old you were when you asked Jesus to come into your life. I’m more concerned with what you’re doing with Christ today and what is your vision in following him tomorrow and the days ahead? How does Jesus fit with your everyday life? Are you for him, or are the things that you say and the things that you do make people think that you are against Him? We see how those in the scripture were against him. We can see what they needed to do to change their hearts and behaviors. What do we need to do to show that we’re all in, we’re all about focusing on what we can do for Jesus rather than against Him? What do you need to change? The Holy Spirit will help you if you let him!
