Most people are aware of the seven times that Jesus spoke from the cross. However, at least seven times words were spoken directly to or in the presence of the cross of Christ. The seven demands to the cross were not spoken by faithful disciples or obedient followers. These were the words shouted during the agony of he who should have only known love. The words to the cross were like that of animals howling at Christ. Yet through those vile lips God insisted that in some way Truth was still admitted. In our text of Matthew 27: 39-42, the first saying that was spoken by unbelievers was that Jesus saved others but could not save himself. They were absolutely right!
Besides the iron nails, there were two other nails that so strongly held Jesus to the cross making it impossible for him to save himself. What were those two nails of truth holding him so fast to the cross?
There was a nail of man’s need. This was driven by man’s assumptions, what other people said. The prime motive of Jesus was not for himself. ( Romans 5: 7,8) This nail was driven by disrespect for God. The text said that they reviled the Christ meaning as they passed by in a continual stream before the creator that they hung on the cross they mocked him. The Scripture says that they also wagged their heads while mocking him. Thirdly, the nail of man’s need was driven by the old carnal nature of mankind. They placed themselves above God demanding that he obey what they said in verse forty that was both an insult and accusation. At that scene, all classes of people were present with only one who was innocent being punished as a criminal not for himself but for those who ridiculed him.
There was a nail of Christ’s nature. It was driven by the prior mercies that God had shown to mankind. Those mercies would not be revoked but continue on through the cross. It was the very nature of Christ that drove him by his own determination for salvation to be offered toward mankind. Because Jesus was the only true king, his nature drove him to the cross by his kingly rights. The whole concept from God was the Christ nature driven by the pledge that belief will beget results. Those who mocked Christ had no idea that something greater than simply coming down from the cross would occur three days later when he rose from the grave. It was easy for the unbelievers to boast and brag against Jesus with no intention to fulfill anything they said because they still did not care what he was suffering. The nature of Christ is that which cannot be explained, nor can it be evaded.
Jesus was pinned to the cross by metal nails. He was also pinned to the cross because of man’s need and because of Christ’s nature. Do not be mistaken. Those at the foot of the cross represent us also. In effect, we were the ones howling at Jesus because of our sin. As Jesus looked down from the cross, imagine what he saw that day. For that we can praise God for ever and ever!
Christian Writer 