PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:21-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.” (Mark 15:24)
In Jesus God is ‘clothed’ in humanity, dressing like humans to save them.
Yet what does humanity do to him; he is stripped of his humanity.
When captors want to ruin their captives, they dehumanize them.
Strip them down naked and parade them through the streets.
Rob them of what they have, until they have nothing… are nothing.
The soldiers care little for Jesus; they take only what they want for themselves.
In this moment we see the shocking grace of God, to be treated like this.
God through Jesus is willing to be used, abused, robbed and rejected.
Humanity has been doing this to God and other humans through the ages.
God through Jesus shows us the opposite way: give yourself for others.
Become one with them, ‘dress’ like them by joining in their experience of life.
As Jesus-followers, we are to give ourselves to others, not take from others.
We are to dress as servants, like Jesus did, to wash the feet of others.
This does not strip us of our humanity; it reveals what it means to be truly human.
PRAYER
Lord, the soldiers meant to rob you of your humanity; instead they exposed your true God-like humanity. Strip me of my selfishness and clothe me in your graciousness!
“Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.” Jesus took nothing to numb the pain or cause him to loose his senses. He kept lucid and clear – He knew He had to finish the work! Jesus stayed focused for you and for me – guaranteeing our salvation! Oh Lord, how you suffered all for sinner’s gain. Thank you Lord Jesus.
The soldiers were dividing the spoils – taking the clothes of Jesus among themselves. They were thinking of themselves. Jesus did not heed them anymore. They gathered the spoils leaving not thinking about the person from whom they took the clothes. They thought only of themselves. Jesus, till the end, shared as He did throughout His life. He cared. and as His follower I too need to show that I care for others by what I say and do – by my words and deeds. Daily I need to clothe myself with the fruit of the Spirit or I too will be exposed by my selfishness.
2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.