He Saved Others

Looking on. While Jesus was on the cross, many people were watching. “And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered” (Luke 23:35).

People passing by. Matthew tells us, “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself!’ ” (Matthew 27:39-40).

The leaders. The chief priests, scribes and elders mocked Him too: “He saved others; Himself He cannot save” (Matthew 27:42).

Come down. They went on, “If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him” (Matthew 27:42).

The soldiers. Luke says, “The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself’ ” (Luke 23:36-37).

A criminal. Even one of the criminals beside Him said, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us” (Luke 23:39).

The same words. Leaders, soldiers, people passing by and a criminal all said the same thing: save Yourself. They thought a real King would use His power to get off the cross.

Written long before. In Psalm 22 David wrote, “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’ ” (Psalm 22:7-8). At the cross the leaders said, “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now” (Matthew 27:43).

Jesus knew. Jesus had told His disciples ahead of time that He “will be mocked and insulted” (Luke 18:32). None of this took Him by surprise. In the same talk He promised, “And the third day He will rise again” (Luke 18:33).

Their words were true. “He saved others” was true. Jesus had healed the sick, forgiven sinners and raised the dead. And He really is the King of Israel. Without meaning to, His enemies told the truth about Him.

Why He stayed. Jesus could have come down. But if He had saved Himself, He could not have saved us. He stayed because He loves us: “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

What this means for you. The mockers wanted Jesus to come down. He did something greater: He died for our sins, and on the third day He rose from the dead. If people laugh at you for trusting Him, remember what He did for you, and do not be ashamed of Him.

Two crosses beside Him. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, “one on the right hand and the other on the left” (Luke 23:33). Both of them could hear what He said.

At first. Matthew tells us, “Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing” (Matthew 27:44). To revile is to insult. It seems that both men joined in at first.

A change. Then one of them spoke up for Jesus. When the other said, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us,” he answered, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?” (Luke 23:39-40).

He feared God. To fear God is to take Him seriously, knowing that He is holy and that we will stand before Him. This man knew that he would soon meet God.

He owned his sin. He said, “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds” (23:41). He did not make excuses. He admitted that he deserved his punishment.

He saw who Jesus is. “But this Man has done nothing wrong” (23:41). He knew that Jesus was not like him at all.

He trusted the King. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (23:42). He called Jesus Lord, and he believed that Jesus would have a kingdom.

Remember me. He did not ask for a high place. He offered Jesus nothing at all. He only asked to be remembered, and he trusted that Jesus would be kind to him.

The answer. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (23:43). Assuredly means that the promise is certain. That same day the man would be with Jesus.

Saved by grace. This man was saved without being baptized and without doing good works. He was saved by grace, through faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Never cast out. Jesus once said, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). The criminal came to Jesus at the very end, and Jesus did not turn him away. But no one knows how much time they have, so come to Him today.

What this means for you. Jesus died for sinners and rose again, and He still welcomes everyone who comes to Him. You do not need to bring anything. Turn from your sin, trust Him and ask Him to remember you.