27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
29and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.
31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull").
34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
- P28
37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
42"He saved others," they said, "but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
- P29
43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’"
44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
- P29
A whole company of Roman soldiers jump at the opportunity to mock Jesus. They hear that He is accused of calling Himself the King of the Jews, so they strip Him, put a robe and thorny crown on Him, spit on Him, and strike Him on the head multiple times. They do not realize that they actually are abusing a king. Many of us may never face this level of mockery and abuse, but Christians around the world today bear literal scars for their faith. They accept their suffering as their participation in Christ’s suffering. - P30
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who face persecution and pray that we ourselves might respond to persecution like our Lord did, knowing that He is worth it all.
- P30
Father, thank You for sending Your Son out of love and commitment to Your people. I remember and honor Him for His extreme sacrifice today and every day. May I bring Him glory as I demonstrate sacrificial love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.- P31
