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By: Steve Wilt
June 12, 2023
Editor's Note: This article is part two of four articles. To read the first article, titled, 'So What?' click here.
The Lord experienced the rejection of those He ministered among, finding the ultimate expression of that rejection at the cross. The same attitudes toward Christ that caused people to raise their fists toward Him continue today. Having explored the attitude of indifference in the first article, we turn now to a second attitude expressed at the cross. Mark 15:29, 30 gains us some eternal perspective that will equip us to reach our not-so-pretty world. This article will explore the attitude of ignorance.
Some people are ignorant of Christ. At the cross, the population at large proved ignorant of Christ. Warren Wiersbe calls them the “fickle wicked."
They were detached. The account reveals that they had some knowledge of events that had unfolded in the days leading up to the cross. But they had no idea who they were dealing with. They had no agenda. They were simply passing by, became attracted to the events unfolding at the foot of the cross, and ignorantly but willingly joined in.
Mark describes their actions using a verb form that tells us their jeering was not a one-and-done event. The Greek imperfect tense here reveals a repeated action. They really got involved. It was certainly no surprise to the Savior, as the Psalmist centuries before had predicted their actions precisely, “All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” (Psalm 22:7-8, NKJV)
They were deceived. Their taunt was rooted in the accusations regarding the Temple that had been raised by false witnesses. They had adopted the popular view that Jesus spoke about the highly revered Temple building rather than His own resurrection. Ours is not the only age where misinformation prevails. “Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
"We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’" (Mark 14:57-58, NKJV)
They were deluded. Leaving the taunt about the Temple, they proceeded to demand that He come down from the cross to verify what they considered outlandish claims. Our Savior demonstrated his resolve, as He said he would "drink the cup of suffering” that would secure the payment for sin. His unwillingness to leave the cross served to reinforce their misunderstanding of what they were witnessing but gained eternal life for those who would believe.
“They imply that it is weakness that keeps Him there. Actually, however, it was strength; the strength of His love for sinners” (William Hendriksen).
The people ignorantly denounced Christ. They failed to see that Satan was about to be forever defeated. Their ignorance of Christ allowed them to join in this horrible event as willing participants, but they did not really understand their own actions. In our present world, ignorance about Christ continues. In some parts of the world, people have never heard the name of Christ. They desperately need someone to tell them of His love for them.
Some estimate that over a billion people in the world today have little to no knowledge of Jesus, little to no knowledge of the gospel, and little to no chance of hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ before they die. At the same time, it is said that 30 million people will perish this year without hearing the message of salvation (Baxter 2007, 12).
Some people are simply unaware of the work of Christ as it relates to them personally. Their religious knowledge has never become personal. They are ignorant about Him because no one has ever taken the time to explain His love to them in a clear and understandable way. Some of our neighbors, friends, and relatives are ignorant of Christ's saving work at the cross. How do we respond to people who are ignorant? What do we do to reach people who know nothing or little about Christ’s work on the cross? We share the gospel clearly with those who do not know.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV). Amen.
God has vested us with the responsibility and authority to take them to the gospel. Are we obedient? People who are ignorant about Christ need to encounter the gospel both in our lives and on our lips.
Look for opportunities to share the gospel with them.
