Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar and Crowned with Thorns

Photo by Ted Miller, PICS Ministry Saddleback Church

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers.  They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”  Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Questions:

This is a hard moment to sit with, as Jesus is both beaten and humiliated.  What feelings arise in you as you consider this moment in his journey to the cross?

Think back to a moment of great pain in your own life.  Can you imagine Jesus meeting you in that pain, as one who has suffered greatly?

Prayer:

Father, such humiliation and pain is difficult to picture.  May I recall that Jesus, who suffered greatly in life, meets me in my own humiliation and pain.