THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 27:27-31
“Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!'” (Matthew 27:29)
I have a huge sensitivity to suffering.
I can’t see myself doing this — shaming someone, spitting on them, beating them.
What happens to a person to make them capable of this, and could I be like this?
Is there something of nature, and something of nurture in it?
If I was raised (nurtured) in the same context, would I have become what they were?
If I had endured the same experiences, or faced the same challenges or abuses…
Or is there something in me (nature) that would resist this cruel, cowardly behaviour?
I like to think that it’s not in my nature, but that implies that I am better than them.
Is my character is somehow superior or purer than theirs.
As hard as it is, I can’t look at these soldiers and see myself as superior.
Instead I have to focus on Jesus and see how superior He is to me, to us.
That He would willingly step into our cruelty, so that He can help us… help me…
If I knew that I would be mocked, spit on, beaten, would I step in to help?
Could I be like this?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, humble me by the character of these soldiers, and inspire me by Your character. Show me that while I am capable on my own of their cruelty, that I am capable of so much more with Your help!