A man named Simon, from Cyrene, was forced to carry Jesus' cross. Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall to dull the horrible pain of the crucifixion, but he refused it. Then they nailed him to the cross, and while he was dying, the soldiers cast lots for his clothes. He was crucified between two robbers and insulted by those who passed by. The sign above Jesus-"THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS"-was meant to mock his kingship. But the sign was a true testimony of Jesus' kingship. He is our King, who was crucified for the sin of the world.

Jesus was also mocked by the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders. "He saved others! But he can't save himself! He's supposed to be the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross, and then we will believe!" Again, they inadvertently spoke the truth. Jesus healed the sick, drove out demons, and raised the dead. But he wouldn't save himself. Jesus could have called on a legion of angels to save him, but he didn't because it was his Father's will to die on the cross for our sins.


Application: Father, thank you for sending your Son to go through the humiliation, pain and death, so we don't have to.
One Word: Jesus was crucified for our sins.