Cruel and mocking words followed Jesus to his death: “King of the Jews… Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God… He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” It may not have been surprising that he faced rejection in the end; after all, these were the same people who had turned away from him during his life. However, what likely made his death even more painful were the words he didn’t hear. He heard nothing from the Father—no words at all. Mocked. Forsaken. Abandoned. Alone. Jesus died.
To onlookers, it seemed as if it was all for nothing. Jesus appeared to be just another crucified man, lifeless on the side of the road.
Yet, what no one could see was what was happening on the other side. Once mocked, Jesus now triumphs over Death itself. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
On a hill far away, where the tree of death once stood, now stands the Tree of Life.
Dr. Ron Geisler 