The same Jesus whom the world mocked on the cross now reigns in indescribable glory. The King who was rejected by men is now exalted above every power, every religion, and every authority.

PART I — From the Mocked Christ to the Glorified Christ

Matthew 27:42

“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.”

Introduction

The greatest mistake mankind has ever made was not simply crucifying Jesus Christ.

It was failing to recognize who He truly was.

Standing beneath the cross were the chief priests, scribes, elders, and rulers of Israel.

These men possessed the Scriptures.

They knew Moses.

They quoted David.

They read Isaiah.

Yet they completely missed the Messiah.

Instead of worshipping Him…

they mocked Him.

Instead of bowing…

they laughed.

Instead of believing…

they challenged Him.

“Come down from the cross.”

What they failed to understand was this:

If Christ had come down from the cross, none of us could ever go to heaven.

The cross was not His weakness.

The cross was His victory.

1. They Judged Christ by Human Eyes

Paul explains why.

1 Corinthians 2:14

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God…”

The natural mind can understand science…

history…

mathematics…

politics…

but it cannot comprehend the supernatural Son of God.

The chief priests saw only:

• bleeding hands
• torn flesh
• weakness
• suffering

They could not see the King hidden beneath the suffering.

2. The World Still Makes the Same Mistake

Two thousand years later…

nothing has changed.

Millions admire Jesus as:

• a prophet
• a teacher
• a philosopher
• a revolutionary

But very few acknowledge Him as:

Lord of lords

King of kings

The Eternal Son of God

Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 4:4

“…whose minds the god of this age has blinded…”

Satan has not changed his strategy.

He blinds people from seeing Christ’s glory.

3. The Cross Was Never a Defeat

Every drop of Christ’s blood was purchasing redemption.

Every nail was destroying Satan’s kingdom.

Every moment upon the cross fulfilled God’s eternal plan.

The mockers said,

“Save Yourself.”

Jesus answered by remaining silent.

Why?

Because He was saving us.

Application

Many people still stand beneath the cross mocking Christ.

Some openly.

Some intellectually.

Some through false religion.

Some through unbelief.

Yet one day every mocking tongue will become a trembling tongue.

Because the One they rejected now reigns forever.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!