The People at the Cross

The People at the Cross Matthew 27:36 “And sitting down they watched him there;” When Jesus was crucified, there was a crowd who stood by and watched. Who were these people? Remember Calvary was a place of suffering, agony and disappointment. It also was a place of victory. There the Son of God won the battle with sin and death and paid the debt for all mankind. As we look at the many classes of people who watched Jesus die see if you fit into any of these categories. There were the Roman soldiers who literally crucified Jesus. Matthew 27:27-36. They were under orders to do their duty. These men could be equal to those who only do their religious duty. They put on the scarlet robe, spit in his face, crowned him with thorns. Beat him close to death and gambled for his clothes. Then they sat down and watched him die. Then there were the rejecting Jews. “and they that passed by reviled him wagging their heads..”Matthew 27:39 In this crowd were the ones who shouted “crucify him. Let his blood be on us”. They misquoted what he said, thinking he said he could tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days. Like many today the misquoting is still going on. This Jewish crowd minimized the work of the cross. Now the religious leaders mocking his deity and His faith in God. Like many today religion has blinded the eyes and closed the ears. These were the most blind of all as they knew the scriptures read the prophesies. Their piety did not allow them to see the gift God was sending them. This crowd also had criminals, those being crucified with Jesus. They too mocked him and cast the same in his teeth. Of the two who died with Jesus, that day one went to hell cursing the other repented and went to paradise with Jesus. There were the spectators who had come to watch. Oh, they were under conviction, smote their breast, and bowed their heads and returned home doing nothing. Many today come hear God’s Word the Holy Spirit convicts their heart but they go home lost or unrepentant. They were impressed with the whole affair but still they refused to confess their sins and follow Jesus. Authority figures were there too. A centurion, a commander of men, a man of authority stood watching Jesus. As he and his men watched Jesus and the earth trembled beneath his feet, he was greatly afraid. His confession, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Last, there were those at the foot of the cross, a place where all sinners must come. There is where they will find forgiveness and truly see God’s love for them. When was the last time you were at the foot of the cross? Have you ever looked up and saw the awesome love God has for you as He placed His son in your place; paid your sin debt with the blood of Jesus. With which crowd do you stand?