MARK 15:30. “Save Thyself, and come down from the cross.” SAVE THYSELF. Suppose that man, so morally weak; Had been strong in courage, and when he knew That envy was the reason they brought Him there; He had searched out truth when he heard Jesus speak. Then as a man of character, he would let that show; And delivered a judgment that was true and fair? Suppose He saved Himself from Pilate!
Suppose when standing before the crowd, He decided to do as He had done before. He would walk right through them and they couldn’t touch Nor restrain His path, though all would shout aloud; And He walked down the road to Galilee’s shore. Then went home to heaven, ‘cause the price was too much. Suppose He saved Himself from the crowd!
Suppose when those soldiers so bold and so strong, Had fallen down flat as they did that night. Suppose they had worshipped and never had mocked. Suppose they had realized what they did was wrong; And stopped, and swallowed, and did what was right. Suppose they defended Him, and the trial had stopped. Suppose He saved Himself from the soldiers!
Suppose when He got to Golgotha that day, He decided He had enough, and stopped the whole scene. Suppose He never went there as a lamb; And told them all there, “Go your own way.” Suppose He used power, and wiped the place clean From such people as us. We all would be damned. Suppose He saved Himself from the cross!
There wouldn’t have been life, for those who were dead. There wouldn’t be peace for those who have fear. There wouldn’t be hope for the hopeless in sin. There wouldn’t be help for the people in need. There wouldn’t be welcome from God to draw near. There wouldn’t be truth for the fallen of men. Suppose He saved Himself and came down!
There would be no Gospel, no real good news. There would be no faith in the Savior to place. There would be no joy, no forgiveness of sin. There would be no place for the sinner to choose Life: There would be no day only darkness to face. There would be no future for all of mankind. Suppose He had saved Himself and come down!
But the truth of the matter is, He did not come down! He suffered it all, and in His holiness, brought To the world at large; hope for peace made by blood – The blood of His cross! So now all who own, “It’s for me that He stayed on the cross; I am bought With a price!” They are brought home to God. Because He did not save Himself and come down!
“Father, I have read this account of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ many times. And still it speaks so loud that all other sounds fade. It really happened; and the results are really true. My mind sometimes wonders what everything would be like if He had changed His mind. Maybe today I have learned something about focusing on the goal. Thanks! In His name, Amen.”