Mark 15:13-20: a reflection

13They cried out again, “Crucify him!” 14Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!” 15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified. 16The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort. 17They clothed him with purple; and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19They struck his head with a reed and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him. 20When they had mocked him, they took the purple cloak off him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.

As Jesus is handed over to be crucified, the soldiers subject him to cruel mockery. They clothe him in purple as if in royal robes, weave a crown of thorns and press it on his head, salute him in mockery, Hail, King of the Jews! They strike him, spit on him, and bow before him in derision. The King of glory endures the mockery of a mock coronation, crowned with thorns, robed in derision, spat upon, struck. He who was truly King submitted to being mocked as king, bearing the shame and cruelty in silence, for our sake. The true King endured mockery and humiliation, taking the shame that we might be spared it.

Notice what Christ endured: mockery and humiliation, the true King mocked as king. The soldiers did not know the terrible irony of their mockery; the one they crowned with thorns and hailed in derision was truly the King. Yet Christ endured it, submitting to the mock robe, the crown of thorns, the spitting and striking, the derisive homage, bearing the shame and cruelty. He who deserved true worship received mockery; he who was truly King was crowned with thorns. And he endured it for our sake, bearing the humiliation that our redemption required. The King of glory submitted to shame; the true King bore the mockery, taking on the humiliation for us. He endured what he did not deserve, for those who did.

That is worth taking to heart, for Christ endured mockery and humiliation for our sake, the true King bearing shame for us. We can forget what our redemption cost Christ, the mockery, the humiliation, the crown of thorns, the shame he endured; but Christ, the true King, submitted to being mocked and humiliated, bearing the shame for our sake. He endured what he did not deserve, that we might be redeemed. When you consider what Christ endured for you, remember the mockery and humiliation he bore, the true King crowned with thorns for your sake. Consider with gratitude and reverence what Christ endured for you, the true King submitting to mockery and humiliation, crowned with thorns and robed in derision, bearing the shame that our redemption required; for Christ, who deserved true worship, endured the mockery of a mock coronation for our sake, and the King of glory bore humiliation and shame to redeem us.

Lord Jesus, as you are handed over to be crucified, the soldiers subject you to cruel mockery. They clothe you in purple as if in royal robes, weave a crown of thorns and press it on your head, salute you in mockery, Hail, King of the Jews! They strike you, spit on you, and bow before you in derision. You, the King of glory, endure the mockery of a mock coronation, crowned with thorns, robed in derision, for our sake. Show me what you endured: mockery and humiliation, the true King mocked as king. The soldiers did not know the terrible irony of their mockery; the one they crowned with thorns and hailed in derision was truly the King. Yet you endured it, submitting to the mock robe, the crown of thorns, the spitting and striking, bearing the shame and cruelty. You who deserved true worship received mockery. And you endured it for our sake, bearing the humiliation that our redemption required. The King of glory submitted to shame, taking on the humiliation for us, enduring what you did not deserve, for those who did. Take that to my heart, for you endured mockery and humiliation for my sake, the true King bearing shame for me. I can forget what my redemption cost you, the mockery, the humiliation, the crown of thorns, the shame you endured; but you, the true King, submitted to being mocked and humiliated, bearing the shame for my sake. You endured what you did not deserve, that I might be redeemed. When I consider what you endured for me, help me remember the mockery and humiliation you bore, Lord, the true King crowned with thorns for my sake, and help me consider it with gratitude and reverence.