38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Matthew 27:38-44

People can be cruel. A man was near death by one of the most gruesome execution methods available, and he was insulted and mocked. Why would they do that? Wouldn’t it have been prudent to say nothing at all – or better yet, not to come to the execution in the first place.

But they mocked and jeered.

I suspect they were angry at Him because He promised a kingdom that didn’t appear. They were shortsighted and afraid. They obviously didn’t understand the kingdom Jesus was referring to.

As Jesus looked down at those who had gathered, you get a sense that even in his intense pain and suffering that He had compassion for the people – for the people who taunted Him and even for the rulers who were instrumental in putting Him there. They would know the truth one day.

We got only a glimpse of what Jesus was thinking when he hung there. He was thirsty. He was forgiving. He was compassionate. He delegated the responsibility of taking care of his mother. And lastly, he expressed anger and loneliness. What He thought about beyond those seven statements is mere speculation.

But you know He had compassion because He would be anywhere except bleeding to death before a live audience.

As you begin making preparations for the Resurrection, consider the compassion Christ had for a world that rejected Him countless times, and in this instance, while he neared death.