The Man in the Middle

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV)

It was a mixed crowd that gathered that day. In fact, the crowd may have been larger than any previous such event had drawn. This was no family picnic or social gathering. The scene unfolding before them was ugly, gruesome. It was a crucifixion.

Simon, a Cyrenian, had been compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the crosspiece of a cross for one of those about to be crucified. Had he heard of this Man now heading to His death at Calvary? Did Simon know this was the Teacher everyone was talking about, perhaps even the long-awaited Messiah? Did he stay to watch what happened to this Man? We do not know.

Soldiers stood there. These men may have grown calloused, even cruel, by the life they lived and the orders they were required fulfill. They huddled at one side of the three crosses, casting lots to divide the few garments taken from the prisoners who now hung there. But it was the Man in the middle that they mocked.

Some of the religious leaders formed another group of onlookers. Their scheming had paid off. The man on the middle cross had been their target for a long time. They were relieved that they would soon be free of Him and His teachings. They didn’t need Him influencing the common people.

Some onlookers stood as silent observers, curious, perhaps even concerned. Still others called out jeers and insults, but not at the two robbers. They aimed their scorn and harsh laughter at the Man in the middle. Some in this group may have been among those who just a few days earlier had thrown their garments across the road and shouted Hosanna as the Man rode a donkey into Jerusalem. They no longer joyfully shouted Hosanna. Now their cries were ugly and hurtful.

The men on the other two crosses were suffering for their own wrongdoings, but they took note of the Man in the middle. One said if He were really the Christ, He could save Himself and them. The other, who was more discerning, asked the Man to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

In their own small huddle stood a group of women, faithful followers of the Man on the middle cross. He had cast seven devils from one. Another was the mother of two of His disciples. Others supported His ministry.

Perhaps the most heartbroken among those gathered at Calvary was Mary, His own mother. She stood there for hours as her son suffered indescribable pain and died.

Of His disciples, only one stood near His cross that day. John, His faithful friend, had walked miles of dusty roads with the Man in the middle. Before He died, Jesus, the Man in the middle, entrusted His mother into John’s care.

While the other ten disciples possibly watched from afar, the Gospels do not say. They had all shared so much with Him during the past three years, but today the ten were noticeably absent. Fear kept them away. The final disciple, His betrayer, was missing because in remorse he chose to take his own life.

Scripture records one observer who was greatly moved by all he saw that day.

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” (Luke 23:47, NKJV)

It is doubtful that anyone could have walked away from Calvary that day without being changed in some way. On that fateful day, the Man on the middle cross, our Lord Jesus, paid in full the price of our redemption. How will you respond?