Matthew 27:1-31 The Soldiers Mock Jesus
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”
Face it, Roman soldiers loathed being assigned to Jerusalem. The Jews were a difficult people and their religion was strange to those following various cults. The Jewish religious leaders made no bones about their feelings of moral superiority over their Roman rulers. Jerusalem was far from Rome and the climate could also be harsh. So when this Galilean preacher appeared after his mock trial, the governor’s soldiers were ready for some rude fun. If they had to crucify this man, they were at least going to get some entertainment out of it.
Throughout the beatings and the mockings, Jesus never uttered a word. This silence frustrated the Romans, inciting them to beat and mock even more. Many preachers refuse to speak about this suffering for fear that they will frighten their congregations; however, throughout the world, faithful disciples are suffering in similar ways. The torture Jesus endured was part of the price he paid for the sins of the world, and if we ignore that price, we will be frustrated and miserable the day we too have to suffer.
If you have never heard of C.T. Studd, you have missed the example of a great disciple. Studd was a nationally acclaimed athlete, a cricket star, and served as a missionary in the China Inland Mission. After returning to England to regain his health, Studd happened to enter a Gospel Hall where someone was describing the horrors of the Belgian Congo. God used that speech to call Studd to found what he called The Heart of Africa Mission, which later morphed into Worldwide Evangelism Crusade. Although Studd was in his early 50’s, he left for the Belgian Congo, serving faithfully there for twenty more years. God used Studd to call many to true discipleship. Studd wrote extensively about the need for tough-minded dedicated disciples. “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” “Some want to live within the sound Of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop, Within a yard of hell.”
Matthew 27:32-44 The King on a Cross
Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. and when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:
“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.”
If the Lord we claim to serve died in such a cruel manner, why should we disciples assume that we are going to have things easy? Remember that as the Son of God, Jesus knew his tormentors and could have told them things about themselves not even they knew. But Jesus suffered quietly, despising the shame but enduring it.
Once more C. T. Studd shows us the way: “Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.”
Many of us claiming to be disciples cherish the strange ideal that Jesus suffered so that we would not have to. Yes, Jesus paid for our sins with his blood; however, the suffering he paid for was the suffering of eternal damnation. We still must remain faithful to Jesus in this life, and that faithfulness sometimes comes at the cost of our lives. Hundreds of Christians in Northern Nigeria have been wiped out by Islamic militants attacking churches during Sunday services. Other believers in predominantly non-Christian countries have also laid down their lives for their faith. A faith that is not worth dying for isn’t much of a faith.
Let us consider the cross and remember the price of eternal love and salvation that Jesus has paid for us so that we will remain faithful when things become difficult. May God help us!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to daily look to the cross, remembering the price Jesus has paid for our sins, so that we refuse to murmur or complain. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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