The soldiers led Jesus into the hall, the Praetorium by name.
And they called together a band—of mockers and scorners of ridicule and hate.
It’s as if it were staged. The one’s who chose not to believe, shouted with rage.
Oh, that those who believe on His name, would have double the passion to sing aloud their praise.
They clothed him with purple and laid a crown of thorns on His head. The one who it was said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sins, He sits alone. Misunderstood. With a bleeding head.
He was saluted, “Hail King of the Jews,” as they mocked him on their knees. He was hit, and spat at and whipped with a reed.
Is this what we think of when we read, “Remember Me.”
They took off the purple and put on the plain, then led him out to be crucified. They compelled a foreigner to carry the cross through.
On that note, believer, think it not strange when passing through this foreign land, that we be compelled, to carry a cross too.
But, oh, we do. Oh, yes, we do.
The one’s who chose not to believe, laughed and scorned Him, and brought horror and shame. Shall we take a minute as we take our next breath, to adore Him and thank Him for enduring such pain.
Jesus was brought to the place, Golgotha. The Place of the Skull was and is it’s reputation. They offered him “wine mingled with mhyrr” but he refused—He endured to the utmost, the crucifixion.
He was numbered with the transgressors. He was crucified with two thieves. His guiltless name was written with a list of men with wrong-doings.
Yes, this was prophesied hundreds of years before, that this would be.
He bore ridicule from passers-by. He bore mocking from Religious heads.
He bore the shouts, “Save, yourself. Come down from the cross.”
What is meekness? What is patience? Let Jesus be our teacher when we find ourselves at a loss!
And “when the sixth hour had come there was darkness over the land.”
Noon until three, darkness surrounded. Does God have wisdom and power above what we do and don’t understand?
What were the hearts of men doing then? Some had fear, others—faith. For those who choose faith, let’s bow our heads together, taking time to thank Him for His loving grace.
There’s more to His Story. This is from Mark 15. On the ninth hour, 3:00 in the afternoon, Jesus shouted, “Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabachthani.”
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
And He shouted, and we learn from another Gospel the words, “It is finished.” Jesus died on that tree.
“And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Impossible with man, but with God—this testimony is true.
A witness, the centurian standing in front of Him during the passion, watched Him as He breathed His last breath, and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
What is our comment? We best consider our reaction.
It might not seem to matter much to us today. But we best take time. To consider. Where. We plan to spend our eter-ni-ty . . .
Taken from Mark 15:16-32 and Isaiah 53