And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:34b-38 ESV)
As we examine the crowd that gathered around the cross, each one "consented to his death" (a phrase used to describe those who watched Stephen be stoned in Acts 7) Here, the rulers scoffed at the idea that He could be their Savior. The Soldiers piped in and added a mockery of His Messiahship, and Pilate, by way of the sign, added his mockery in abstentia. But the bottom line is that almost everyone there mocked Him and was content to see Him silenced - by their silence. They "stood by, watching." Each one of us has our share in putting Christ on the cross. Thankfully, by faith, each one of us can have our share in what He did there.
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