This chapter details the trial, mocking, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. It is a tragedy, yet out of this tragedy, God later brings blessing beyond measure.
“And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 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.” (v16-20)
There isn’t one thing mentioned here that honors or glorifies God. The Romans ruthlessly mocked Jesus, twisting ways of honoring a king into ways of torturing Him.
– the “purple cloak” which depicted royalty and dignity was likely a faded / torn / discarded military garment (Romans wore dark red garb which could look purple when faded)
– Roman kings wore woven crowns of leaves that had been gilded (dipped in gold), but this crown of woven thorns cut into Jesus’ innocent head, gilding it in blood
– Roman kings were saluted and greeted with the phrase “Hail Caesar!”, so saluting Jesus with the phrase “Hail, King of the Jews!” (in a mocking tone) was making fun of His status
– the reed they struck Him with was originally a mock scepter which further indicated royal status (see Mt 27:29), so they were literally beating Him over the head with His kingly status
– it was customary to greet royalty with a kiss, yet they spat in His face instead
– it was customary to kneel before kings as a show of respect, which they did before Jesus, but again it was done in a mocking manner
– stripping Jesus of His ‘royal clothing’ would signify stripping Him of His kingly status, like a king that had been overthrown / usurped / removed from power, creating further humiliation
– the final humiliation (in this section of text) was forcing Jesus to be paraded in front of the crowds, dragging His own implement of execution (the cross), half dead, and half naked, as the crowd mocked Him further
Satan, who undoubtedly led this humiliation of Jesus, thought He was winning a war against God. In reality, God allowed Jesus to suffer in the worst way possible so He could empathize with His people, set an example for us, and ultimately redeem us from our suffering.
Do you ever feel like nobody understands your pain and suffering? Jesus does. He suffered far worse than any other person on earth. He suffered fully – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. No suffering we face could ever rival His suffering. God went to great lengths to understand and redeem us – let’s embrace the depths of His love, and the greatness of His sacrifice, so we may be inspired to take up our own (lighter / easier) crosses and follow Him. Just as someone helped Jesus carry His cross, Jesus helps us carry ours – we’re not alone in our suffering.
Heavenly Father, we cannot fathom the depths of Your love, or the expanse of Your understanding. Jesus, we cannot comprehend Your suffering, though we are extremely grateful that You empathize with us, and help us carry our heavy burdens. Thank you Spirit for aiding us in our grief, teaching us how to love those in the midst of sorrow, and loaning us strength. We praise You Father, for Your steadfast love endures forever, far longer and greater than any suffering we may face. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training