Today we are reading from Mark 15:21-32:

21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

One of the many, many, many, many things that Jesus did so much better than me, or probably better than anyone who ever lived was the humility.  With all that happens today, notice, He never defends Himself.  He never tries to make it right or fix it or look good in the eyes of people. He is simply obedient to God’s plan. Reading today made me think of the old spiritual, “He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word.”  Here are some of those lyrics, and see you don’t see them today in this passage: 

They crucified my Lord,
and he never said a mumblin’ word;
they crucified my Lord,
and he never said a mumblin’ word;
Not a word, not a word, not a word.

They nailed him to a tree,
and he never said a mumblin’ word;
they nailed him to a tree,
and he never said a mumblin’ word;
Not a word, not a word, not a word.

Jesus is insulted. Beaten.  Mocked.  Abused.  Crushed.  And He never said a mumblin’ word.  Remember y’all, remember.  No one took Jesus’ life from Him. He willing gave it.  He was not weak or passive in all this, He was in control.  He knew what He was doing. And He will willing to do it.  

He was willing to do whatever He had to do to save the people from their sins.  His humility; His quietness, it was not weakness.  It was strength. 

Remember what He went through for our forgiveness and salvation. And may we be thankful for His strength.  

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