Matthew 27:24-31: a reflection

24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” 25All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!” 26Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. 27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

As Jesus is handed over to be crucified, the soldiers take him and heap mockery upon him: they strip him, put a scarlet robe on him, twist a crown of thorns and press it onto his head, put a reed in his hand, and kneel before him in mock homage, Hail, King of the Jews! Then they spit on him and strike him. The true King of all endures this mockery, crowned with thorns, robed in mockery, spat upon and struck; and he bears it, the King of glory enduring shame and scorn for us.

Notice what the true King endured: mockery, a crown of thorns, shame heaped upon him. He who was truly King was mocked as a false king, crowned not with gold but with thorns, robed in a soldier's cloak for scorn, spat upon and struck. He, the King of glory, endured this shame and mockery; and he bore it, not resisting, though he could have. The crown of thorns pressed on the brow of the King of all, the mockery heaped on the one worthy of all honor; and he endured it for us, bearing the shame we could not bear. The true King bore mockery and shame.

That is worth pondering, for the King of glory endured mockery and shame for our sake. We can hardly grasp it: that the King of all, worthy of all honor and glory, endured such mockery and scorn, crowned with thorns, spat upon, struck, and bore it for us. He did not have to endure it; he chose to, for our sake, bearing the shame and scorn that we might be redeemed. Do not pass lightly over what your King endured for you: the crown of thorns, the mockery, the shame, borne willingly for your sake. Let the sight of the true King enduring mockery and shame for you move you to love and gratitude; he who was worthy of all honor bore scorn and shame for your redemption, crowned with thorns and mocked as a false king, though he was the true King of all, enduring it for you. Ponder the King who bore mockery and shame for your sake, and love him for it.

Lord Jesus, as you are handed over to be crucified, the soldiers take you and heap mockery upon you: they strip you, put a scarlet robe on you, twist a crown of thorns and press it onto your head, put a reed in your hand, and kneel before you in mock homage, Hail, King of the Jews! Then they spit on you and strike you. The true King of all endures this mockery, crowned with thorns, spat upon and struck; and you bear it, the King of glory enduring shame and scorn for us. Show me what you, the true King, endured: mockery, a crown of thorns, shame heaped upon you. You who were truly King were mocked as a false king, crowned not with gold but with thorns, robed for scorn, spat upon and struck. You, the King of glory, endured this shame; and you bore it, not resisting, though you could have. You endured it for us, bearing the shame we could not bear. Let me ponder that, for you, the King of glory, endured mockery and shame for my sake. I can hardly grasp it: that you, worthy of all honor, endured such scorn, crowned with thorns, spat upon, and bore it for me. You did not have to endure it; you chose to, for my sake. Keep me from passing lightly over what you endured for me: the crown of thorns, the mockery, the shame, borne willingly. Let the sight of you enduring mockery and shame for me move me to love and gratitude, Lord; you who were worthy of all honor bore scorn for my redemption. Help me ponder the King who bore mockery and shame for my sake, and love you for it.