THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:16-20
“And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!'” (Mark 15:18)
I remember singing a chorus in the 90s, ‘All hail King Jesus!’
I may not have always sang it with full understanding, but I didn’t sing it in mockery.
This abuse would have been painful to Jesus too, along with the physical.
He knows Who He really is, and why He came, and why He is prepared to suffer this way.
He loves these soldiers, enough to let them mock and abuse Him.
They are His brothers, His fellow heirs to God’s creation glory.
Made to rule with God, like God, for God, these soldiers are a disgrace.
All over the world we see this ‘disgrace’ being played out again and again.
People made to live and to lead with God, like God, for God, doing terrible things.
And yet God takes it, Jesus endures it — why does God put up with such evil?
But then I realize that He is not putting up with it, He is fighting it.
He is unleashing the full force of love on the terror of hate.
Violence does not end violence, force does not end cruelty.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
This scene is the turning point of history, when hate takes on love… and loses.
Love wins, and all those who stand bravely with Jesus against hate, win too.
Hate may hurt us and kill us, but it cannot beat us – Jesus proved that.
I will not join the soldiers in their anthem of hate.
I choose to hail Jesus as my king, and I will stand with Him against hate and violence.
‘And throughout eternity I’ll sing Your praises, and I’ll reign with You throughout eternity.’
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, love bravely stands against evil, hate, abuse, bullying, refusing to join in the evil itself. I am not brave, but You make me brave. I want to stand with You.
Observations/Application
The soldiers treated their prisoners with great cruelty. Some would die there from the whipping and some survived and died after being on the cross for days. Jesus died within three hours telling us how great the whipping was. He couldn’t even carry the cross to the crucifixion site. Like a sheep lead to the slaughter – the suffering servant Isaiah said and yet it is with those stripes you and I are healed. He was and is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world so you and I are free to serve Him. I need to do what is right and good. I am redeemed by my Redeemer. He lives and because He lives, I live.
I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart