Today’s Reading: Mark 15:16-20, John 19:23-24

So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. – Luke 23:24-25

Today’s verses are very difficult to read. I often find myself skimming over them and moving on to the road to Golgotha, but today I am going to sit here and consider how Jesus suffered for me — how he suffered for you. Each of the gospels tells the story a little differently, but each shows the suffering Jesus endured in order to offer us the joy of salvation.

The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. – Mark 15:16-20

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD FACE HUMILIATION?

He was innocent, yet they treated him as if he was guilty. He was sinless, yet willing to carry our sins. He had so much more to offer the world than they were willing to receive, yet he gave of himself in order that they could experience eternal life.

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did. – John 19:23-24

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD SUFFER AND DIE?

Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. – Matthew 27:27-31

Through all of the humiliation and torture, Jesus spoke of forgiveness. He did not just die for the sins of the masses, he died for those who were inflicting pain. He died for those who demanded his crucifixion, and he forgave those who mocked him. If he can forgive those who tortured him, imagine how willing he is to forgive you.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

These few portions of scripture are difficult to read. It is hard to read about the pain Jesus suffered for us. It is hard to comprehend that a holy God could love a sinful people enough to send His very own son to be mocked, tortured and crucified. It is often more than we can fathom or wrap our minds around. But we must understand that Jesus died for us so that we can receive all that He has for us. We cannot celebrate his resurrection without acknowledging his crucifixion.

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is. – 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Jesus, thank you so much for receiving all the punishment that we deserved. Thank you for willingly dying as a penalty for our sins. As we consider how you suffered, it makes it a little easier for us to bear what we are going through today. Lord, we long for the day when we will see you face to face. May you be glorified through our lives every day. We love you. Amen.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. – 1 Peter 4:12-13