Reading: Mark 15:25-30 , 25It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30come down from the cross and save yourself!"
As we consider imitating Jesus, as a man, picture yourself in the place that He was. He was just beaten beyond recognition. He was nailed to a cross with a crown of thorns jammed upon His head. Yet, He had the power to truly “come down from the cross”, heal Himself and wipe out everyone that was standing against Him. Can you imagine the weakness and pain that He was physically enduring? When we are weak or in severe pain (although, I don’t think any of us have been in as much pain as He was), we tend to allow ourselves the leniency to “slip up” or lose our cool or react in a way that “we normally wouldn’t”. But, as a man, imagine knowing that you have the power to stop it all whenever you wanted to. Now, on top of that, people are walking by and taunting you to do exactly what you know you have the power to do. The struggle as a man to show them and prove to them you can do it would be immense. Yet, He stayed there. He… stayed… there! He had every right to prove to them exactly who He was and “put them in their place”… but, He didn’t. He harnessed all of His power even through extreme pain and suffering.
How do you respond in situations where you are tired, hurt or in pain?
Do you respond in a Christ-like manner?
How can you be an imitator of Jesus, today, in a way demonstrated in these verses?
REVIEW
How were you able to imitate Jesus today?
What did you have to do differently and how did it affect your day?
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