Let the Words GO
Matthew 27:38-44
38 Then two robbers were placed on execution-stakes with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 People passing by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “So you can destroy the Temple, can you, and rebuild it in three days? Save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the stake!” 41 Likewise, the head cohanim (priests) jeered at him, along with the Torah-teachers and elders, 42 “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” “So he’s King of Isra’el, is he? Let him come down now from the stake! Then we’ll believe him!” 43 “He trusted God? So, let him rescue him if he wants him! After all, he did say, ‘I’m the Son of God’!” 44 Even the robbers nailed up with him insulted him in the same way.
One of the first statements I noticed is the last one. "Even the robbers nailed up with him insulted him in the same way." I remember being taught that one of the robbers repented. This seems to contradict that. A little bit of research brought an explanation. The basic idea is that each Gospel writer saw and heard what happened that day. Each would have their own way of writing and choosing what to focus on. In this situation, Matthew chose to focus on who was mocking. Luke chose to say that one of the robbers actually repented. Here is a link to an article which explains the thought more in depth:
The words above, "shaking their heads" are from Psalm 22.
8 (7) All who see me jeer at me;
they sneer and shake their heads:
These verses are David crying out and feeing abandoned. Exactly how Jesus felt while on the cross.
The words from verse 43 continue Psalm 22
9 (8) “He committed himself to Adonai,
so let him rescue him!
Let him set him free
if he takes such delight in him!”
Executions took place on busy roads. Outside the city walls, but on a road leading to another major city. People would have seen who was on the execution stake. They would have witnessed all that was taking place.
The Son of Man was jeered and mocked. The Son of Man faced many false accusations. He stayed strong. He stayed with the heart of the Father. He let the heart of the Father be in Him at all times.
It is so easy for us to give into anger and frustration. It is so easy for us to hurl insults back at those who hurt us.
If words are hurled your way that hurt, do your best to take them to the Father. Dump them on HIM. HE is the one that is there to carry them for you. If you need to, write them down, crumple them up and burn them. But, LET HIM carry them.
Love and blessings,
Rose
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