Mark 15:16–32 (ESV)
16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
It seems so strange and humbling to read this passage today. It was just a month ago that we celebrated Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. However, it’s good to remember what Jesus endured for us all just prior to that first Easter morning.
I want to encourage you to take your time reading the passage today. In fact, read it out loud and let the magnitude of what’s happening settle in your heart and mind.
Feel the hate and anger of the Roman soldiers. They are sick and tired of trying to keep the peace in this little backwater place called Jerusalem, and now, they are going to show everyone their power as they deal with this so-called king of the Jews.
Read the passage again and underline every violence and hatred that they and others inflict upon Jesus.
They beat Jesus, they mock Him, spit on Him, strip Him. When we read that Jesus is crucified, it’s simply a matter of fact. Then there is a parade of hate from passersby, the religious leaders, and even the two who were crucified next to Jesus heap abuse upon Him.
The temptation is to see all of this as an accident, as an unfortunate coming together of events…, but don’t you be tempted to think such a thing.
This was no accident. Jesus has spoken of this moment from the beginning. It’s His stated purpose (Mark 10.45). God’s kingdom has come, but not in the way it was expected. Not by force, but through love, mercy, and forgiveness.
The darkness and evil and violence of the world have done their worst to Jesus, and Jesus has soaked it all in; all our hate, all our vileness, and every piece of our depravity and sin, and in return, we are met with the love of God.
So, how will we respond? Will we be filled with outrage that a thing like this could happen? It’s still happening today, and what are we doing about it?
Will we respond with horror that Jesus, who brought healing and restoration, love and forgiveness to all who would come, is enduring all our darkness? Do we truly embrace that through Jesus we receive reconciliation and healing, and are we helping others to know it too?
Will we respond in awe and wonder, joy, and thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for us, and wholeheartedly entrust every aspect of our lives to Jesus?
This is what Jesus came to do so that you and I can be restored to a right relationship with God the Father.
How will you respond?
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott