Day 28 :: In with the Wrong Crowd
Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
Luke 23:32-33
I’m sure all parents have heard or maybe used the phrase, “He (or she) got in with the wrong crowd.” When I was growing up, this common phrase could be heard daily from parents whose sons or daughters had gone astray. Their precious bundles never being liable for any skulduggery. Yet almost always, the “wrong crowd” being at fault for their offspring’s misdemeanours. Basically, this phrase is a parent’s defence mechanism. Excusing their perfect specimens’ waywardness at the expense of those other vile wretches. Reminiscing now as an adult I’m sure we can admit we didn’t fall into any “wrong crowds” as kids, we were all part of the wrong crowd. Why? We were just as sinful as the rest of our peers.
However, there is one, and only one, who did get in with the wrong crowd.
Around 700 years before the death of Christ, Isaiah prophesied, “he poured out his soul to death and was numbered among the transgressors” (53:12). Fast forward those 700 years to the cross. It’s just before 9am. A nice warm Middle Eastern Friday morning. As the sun beats down a procession is making its way to the place of execution. After a sleepless night being brutalised, the weary, beaten, and blooded King Jesus is frogmarched to his death. Accompanied by two other criminals who were robbers (Matt 27:38).
As the cross lay horizontally on the ground, the Lord laid his battered body on top of it. Roman executioners hammered long iron nails through His hands and feet. Imagine the pain. Tendons being torn apart. Bones being chipped as these rugged metal nails are driven through skin, bone, and flesh, until firmly secure. Blood would have been squirting everywhere. Screams of anguish and pain would have been heard all over Jerusalem. The nice warm Middle Eastern Friday morning now turned into a torture scene.
As the screams and groans of anguish continue, the cross is erected. To make a spectacle of him, Jesus is the centrepiece between the two criminals who similarly have been crucified. One on his right, the other on his left. If there ever was a time a parent could say “my son got in with the wrong crowd” it’s now. The perfect Son, who knew no sin, crucified, and humiliated in the city centre for all to see, surrounded by those vile wretches. He was “numbered among the transgressors.”
As I mediate aghast at the brutality of the cross and crucifixion, the most piercing thought comes to mind: ‘It was me that put him there.’ Every dark crevice of my heart put him there. All my vile thoughts put him there. Every wicked action put him there. I’ve done as much damage to Jesus as the Roman executioners.
On that Friday morning I should have taken centre stage. I should have been made a spectacle of. Those nails should have been hammered through my skin, bones, and flesh. The screams of anguish and pain should have come from my mouth. Every ounce of suffering Jesus endured was meant for me. Yet amazingly Jesus took my place in the wrong crowd, so I could escape it. Jesus poured out His soul to death, so I could live. He was numbered among the transgressors, so I could be made righteous.
Every fibre of our being should be in awe, wonder and worship toward the sinless Son who went to the cross in our place.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Passages to read: Luke 22:32-33, Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, John 19:18
A thought to remember: We should have received every ounce of the pain and suffering Jesus endured.
A question to ask: What should be our response to Jesus for all He’s done for us?
A song to sing: Jesus Paid It All