Heaping Abuse

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰ come down from the cross and save yourself!”

³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Mark 15:16-20, 29-32

As if crucifixion wasn’t a big enough insult, people heaped abuse, both physical and verbal, on Jesus.  And the King of Glory took it.  He took it from the sinners He was dying to save.  Their sin was on display and directed toward Him, the One who could forgive them of sin.

I am no different.  I would, because of my own insecurities, heap abuse like this.  That potential is in me… but it is not of God.  It is not living like Jesus to do that.  He did not respond to the abuse.  He humbled Himself and was obedient to His Father.

The only ones Jesus spoke roughly with were the religious leaders.

As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Mark 12:38-40

This was not abuse, however.  It was truth that Jesus was speaking.  He had no insecurities that would lead Him to sin against people like those who crucified Him did.  I must find myself centered in Christ and live confidently in Him.

Lord, thank You for Your Spirit that lives with me.  And thank You for how You are making me like You.  Do whatever You’d like with me.  I live for You and Your glory.  My confidence is in You.