As the Savior was tried in court, and later as He hung on the cross, His persecutors mocked Him with His earlier words. “Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,” they taunted, “Save thyself, and come down from the cross.” (Mark 15:29-30) Their choice of words was quite ironic.
Earlier in His ministry, the Savior was asked to show a sign of His divinity. He responded, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) Note that He did not say that He would be the one to destroy the temple, but that those who doubted would. Of course, His words were twisted by those who sought His death.
The Jews all assumed that Jesus referred to Solomon’s temple. But as we continue reading, we learn that “He spake of the temple of his body” (John 2:21). The raising up, of course, referred to His resurrection, which would occur three days after His death. The Jews, of course, did not understand this, and were outraged that He would in any way state their temple was to be destroyed.
And so these words, in which Christ foretold His of His death and subsequent resurrection, were those used as evidence when He stood on trial for blasphemy. They were flung in His face while He hung in agony on the cross. They were repeated and used to mock Him, when He in fact was in the same process of destruction He had prophesied.
I wonder if, as He hung on the cross, these words that were meant to taunt brought Him any comfort? As His physical body screamed in pain, as the Spirit withdrew from Him and left Him, those who sought to cause Him pain reminded Him of the eternal significance His trials held. They reminded Him of the resurrection that would follow His death, of the way death would be defeated for all mankind. I wonder if, amidst all the cruelty, the Savior found peace and comfort in the words He had spoken earlier?
Of course, we do not know; no indication is given. But the thought brings me hope, hope that at least some of the Lord’s suffering would be alleviated, hope that he would find peace even when Satan prompted others to rile Him.
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Gospel Doctrine: Sorrow Turned to Joy
Gospel Doctrine: The Gift of the Sacrament
General Conference: “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness”