The Passion 11

Jesus Mocked & Beaten

 

            Is it fair to chastise the Roman soldiers who mocked and abused Jesus prior to His being crucified? Did they really know any better? Jesus stated while hanging on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT) The soldiers, being gentiles, know nothing of the Jewish laws and frankly more than likely couldn’t care less to know them. These men were brutish, tough, hard-nosed military men who may not have been all that bright. They used brute force and looked to take advantage of each situation to inflict pain, so when they were offered the opportunity to first flog Jesus, then escort Him to the crucifixion site, they no doubt seized it relishing the chance to, in their minds, have some fun.

            Matthew & Mark mention the number of soldiers as a “whole regiment”. That’s around 200 soldiers! So, after His flogging* the enormous crowd of brutish men mocked Jesus. He did nothing to retaliate. They made Him a crown of thorns which they beat down around His head. A crown whose thorns were roughly 1” long and dug into Jesus’ scalp. The soldiers then placed a robe on the Lord. The blood from the flogging was fresh and adhered to the cloth, soaking it.

            Understanding the soldiers probable mindset, it was no wonder that they took the opportunity to make fun of the supposed “King of the Jews”. It was only when they had tired of mocking Jesus that they took off the robe** they had placed on Him and redressed Him. Then they led the Lord away to be crucified. The blood that poured from Jesus’ body obviously made Him weak. The pain Him endured was indescribable. That pain, plus the tremendous weight of the sins of mankind made this time for Him nearly unbearable.  Yet He willingly obeyed His Father’s will, knowing it was necessary to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for man.

            Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

*3 of the 4 gospel accounts say that the whip had lead tips. Historians tell of a scourge that was commonly used to whip criminals with. The scourge had broken pieces of metal, and jagged stones affixed to each of the three straps making up the scourge. 

**Having the robe ripped off Jesus body after the blood had a chance to congeal (solidify; coagulate) meant His cuts and sores would be ripped open all over again, inflicting MORE pain.