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“So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ‘He saved others, he cannot save himself. Let the Christ the King of Israel come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also reviled him” (Mark 15:31-32).
God is immortal for He is eternal. He has always lived with his Word so it is also eternal. His Word became His Son on earth, so Jesus was immortal and eternal like His Father.
To save people from mortality and eternal destruction in death, God sent Jesus as their sin offering and burden-bearer to free them from all burdens. As He hanged on the cross: He who knew no sin bore their sin (2 Cor 5:21);
He who knew no sickness bore their diseases and griefs (Mt 8:17); He who was blessed bore their curse (Gal 3:14); He who had life bore their death (Heb 2:9). He resurrected from the dead, taking captive all the powers that held people captive, as He ascended into heaven (Eph 4:8).
Whilst hanging on the cross, He endured much agony and mockery. The people He was dying for, who incidentally were His executors, were also mocking Him. They asked Him to come down from the cross if He was the king of Israel, and they would believe in Him (Mk 15:32).
If He had heeded their request and come down, there would have been no mercy and grace to bring salvation about. However, He so loved wicked humanity that He remained and died on the cross to give them life. Furthermore, because God the Father also loved them, He ignored their mockery and allowed Him to hang on the cross till He died (Mt 27:43).
Surely, Christ has borne their sins, diseases, griefs, curses, and death, and given them His righteousness, healing, joy, blessing, and life. He has set them completely free from all forms of captivity.
Jesus Christ has freed people from the control of every power, so believe in Him and be completely free.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for making Jesus Christ take the place of sinners as a perfect sacrifice to free them from all things that held them captive. In him they are free indeed. Amen.
By Robert K. Asante
