Generic for a Reason?
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:30-32
This foretelling of his death and resurrection is the second. The first time (Mark 8:31), he said it would be elders, chief priests, and scribes. This time, however, the people responsible are stated in generic terms. Maybe the generic nature is important to signify that Jesus will die at the hands of all humanity.
It’s not so popular these days to bring up Mel Gibson’s name, but Gibson was very thoughtful and intentional about the crucifixion scene back when he produced The Passion of the Christ. By design, you never see the face of the Roman soldier who drives the nails into the hands and feet of Jesus, thus revealing that it could have been any one of us. In fact, Gibson himself was the one employing the hammer.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Lord,
You are justice. For it is we who deserve the cross, and yet you took our place. In this Lenten Season, help us remember this and be thankful for our Savior.
I pray in the name of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Amen!
SEARCHING FOR 42 