(NIV) Matthew 27:38-44 “Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads, 40and saying, “˜You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”™

41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42“˜He saved others,”™ they said, “˜but he can”™t save himself! He”™s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “˜I am the Son of God.”™ 44In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

(NIV) Luke 23:36 “The soldiers also came up and mocked him.”

Jesus stayed on the cross because He was God

Think about this:

The onlookers represented Jews and Gentiles”¦It is our sins for which Jesus died.

Those scorners and mockers had the same need as you and I do today. There is no other who has died for your sins or mine. Only Jesus has done that.

Perhaps you think that you would not have scorned Jesus hanging on that cross. A superior or pious attitude won”™t do”¦it was our sins which Jesus took on Himself as if they were His own sins.

(NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us”¦”

With gratitude we can become followers of Christ by:

(NIV) Romans 10:9-13

“That if you confess with your mouth, “˜Jesus is Lord,”™ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “˜Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”™ 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile ““ the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “˜Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”™”