
We are very familiar with the events of Good Friday. We know the people, the details, the horror and the injustice of it all as well as the love and strength of Christ. It is the key to our salvation and redemption. But in the background of the events are several people, minor characters in the unfolding drama. However, when we give them a closer look, we may find they are more familiar, more recognizable than we realized. We’ve seen how Malchus prepared us to engage with those who see Jesus as a threat. Pilate’s wife represented the many who depend on their superstitious ideas about Jesus rather than the truth. Some of us are more like Simon. Others may be more like one in the crowd.
Jesus’s time on the cross is nearing its end. The land is supernaturally dark and has been for a couple of hours. Four Roman soldiers stand guard along with their centurion. A small crowd, including religious leaders and others who called for Jesus’s death watched the execution. Their mocking insults are shattered by Jesus’s anguished cry, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” (Matthew 27:46). In Aramaic, the word for My God sounds a lot like the name Elijah. During the Passover, everyone looked for Elijah. So that became the new line of mocking. “This man is calling for Elijah.” (Matthew 27:47). And one in the crowd was prompted to action.
Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
Matthew 27:48
We don’t have any other details so the action can be interpreted several ways.
The one in the crowd was compassionate.
Even though he didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah, he was clearly moved by His suffering. John 19:28 records Jesus saying that He was thirsty. He may have been the only one in the rowdy crowd who felt any pity for Jesus. So he ran for a drink to honor the dying man’s request.
This Easter season you may meet people who are sympathetic to Jesus. They believe He was good, that He died a noble, selfless death ending a tragic story, but not unlike others they have heard about.
We can’t dismiss Jesus as just a good man. He Himself claimed to be Son of God. In fact, the reason the Pharisees sought to eliminate Him was He claimed equality with God. We must gently correct and inform those who would reduce Jesus to just a good man.
The one in the crowd was callous.
He had mocked Jesus along with others for hours, unmoved by the darkness or the pain Jesus was in. Now after the latest outburst, he’d had enough. He had to shut the guy up. Maybe the sour wine was enough to dull the senses.
Some who come to Easter would undoubtedly prefer to shut down all talk of sin, salvation, redemption and resurrection. They’ve stood back with their friends and made fun of the entire idea of religion for years and this year is no different.
Maybe they are difficult or even impossible to engage. You may have to respect their wishes not to discuss Christ. If so, the important thing then is not to let the callous rob you of your joy or dampen the thrill that comes from knowing the risen Christ.
The one in the crowd was challenging.
Mark’s gospel singles out the man saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down” (Mark 15:36). The other gospels have others in the crowd saying those words. It was a demand for yet more proof.
The thing is, you can’t ever offer enough proof. The Pharisees made these same types of challenges. “Show us a sign and we’ll believe” (Matthew 12:38, 16:1). Signs strengthen existing faith, rather awakening faith. The proof is there, but darkened hearts reject it.
Jesus never tried to prove His statements. The Son of God does not answer to man’s demands. Most challengers aren’t truly interested in proof. They are more concerned about making noise. A sincere reading of John’s gospel leaves no other conclusion than Jesus is exactly who He says He is. Readers can still ignore that conclusion if they choose.
With so little to go on, it’s hard to say which one fits the one in the crowd who ran for the sponge. He may also fit a profile not listed here. But then, the people you encounter this Easter season may also be hard to box in. They may be a combination of all these profiles. No matter what, approach them with love and respect and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Next week, we’ll finish up with one witness there that Friday who leaves few questions about his take on the crucifixion of Jesus.