I was reading Mark’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus (Mk. 15) today and I noticed the repeated emphasis Mark put on the mockery that Christ endured.

The Soldiers: “And they began to salute him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’  And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.” (Mk. 15.18-20)

The Passers-By: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ ” (Mk. 15.29-30)

The Priests: “So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.’ ” (Mk. 15.31-32)

The Criminals: “Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” (Mk. 15.32)

My first reaction was to be angry with those callous sinners who scorned my Lord.  Then I remembered whose sin Christ bore on that cross (mine!) and I heard the words of the song in my head:

Behold, the man upon the cross – my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished!