What the Lord is Saying: Jesus' fate is clear now - he will be crucified. In this passage Jesus is scourged, a crown of thorns placed on his head, a purple robe over him, and people can now slap him on the face as well and poke fun of him - Jesus, King of the Jews - with Pilate presenting Jesus to the crowd.
Matthew 27 marks the account starting in verse 26, "Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified." And then further detail, "27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. 32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross."
Mark provides a similar, though not as much detail account in chapter 15 again with a statement of summary, "Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross."
I am reminded of the movie, the Ox-Bow Incident, a 1943 western with Henry Fonda. At a saloon, ranchers get news that one of their own has been murdered. A posse is put together and based upon some circumstantial evidence, a man is in the process of being hanged for a crime, though he is innocent. This is actually a fairly consistent theme or plot that shows up in movies. The Wrong Man, also with Henry Fonda from 1957 chronicles a man being accused of robbery only to later discover he was mistaken for looking like the real thief. And then Henry Fonda once again stars in 12 Angry Men (1957), my favorite movie, about a jury debating the fate of a young man accused of a crime. 11 believe him guilty while 1 has questions and the movie is about all 12 men deliberating in a room the fate of this young man, only to see him exonerated. In all of these movies, the innocent man is exonerated. But with Jesus, though seemingly innocent of political insurrection, his fate to the cross and bearing the sin of humanity continues as part of God's sovereign plan to save people from their sin.
I also think about the movie Passion of the Christ from 2004 co-written, co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson that chronicles the last week of Jesus and in stark detail gives a picture of the scourging of Jesus. It is the most graphic representation I have seen and whether it exaggerates or takes artistic license of the scourging is unknown.
Some have thought there is a difference between John's account to Mark and Matthew's with Pilate flogging Jesus prior to him given over to be crucified. I don't see this discrepancy. I think what is interesting is how Pilate tries at times to separate Himself from declaring Jesus' sentence, and yet is involved in keeping Him as a potential criminal. By involving Pilate in the process, it appears those that found Him guilty (the Jewish officials) used this involvement to continue his fate to be crucified.
Other scriptures:
Romans 15:1-3 - Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." - This is great. Jesus bore the punishment of sins committed between people with this reminder that it is important to please our neighbor, taking up the cross for our brother as Jesus did for all of us.
I Peter 2:21 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. - Christ suffered for me and I may need to also suffer even when good is done. Suffering is so counter-cultural, especially as Americans it would seem as we work so hard to safeguard ourselves from any sort of unwelcome situations.
Summary: Jesus is scourged, receives the crown of thorns on his head, with many mocking and slapping him, but Pilate also presenting him as having no guilt, a man.
Promise: I am to emulate Christ in all His ways, most notably realizing I may need to suffer even for doing good.
Prayer: Lord, I love a good story of a guilty person being exonerated or found not guilty. That sense of justice being served is a good feeling. and yet knowing that You Jesus, though pronounced not guilty still received the penalty of guilt makes me desire to follow You. You took on my sin, being the sacrifice that was needed for me to fulfill the wrath and justice of God. You are way different than all I know and I know in my life I steer so much away from any semblance of suffering. I thank you for the movie Passion of the Christ and it impressing in me that picture of your suffering. I need to be reminded of this always.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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