Mocking Jesus

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Scripture

Mark 15:16 ¶ Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort.
Mark 15:17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.
Mark 15:18 And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Mark 15:19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him.
Mark 15:20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Observation

I am always amazed at the amount of emotion which is evoked when I read scriptures like this.  I am angered, saddened and amazed that Jesus could have been treated this badly.  They play with him.  Because he calls himself the "King of the Jews," they put a purple robe on him and then create a fake crown out of some thorns and put it on his head.  They hit him, spit on him and mock him by kneeling down in front of him.  All of this because they really don't believe. 

Application

I was checked in my heart as I read this today.  Yes, I can become frustrated and irritated about the way in which Jesus was treated in those final hours of his life, but how do we continue to treat him today?  I'm afraid that there are times that we mock him by our behavior.  Even Christians, (or at least those who call themselves Christians) may mock him by their unbelief.  We want to call ourselves Christians at a certain level, and yet do we really believe that he is who he says he is?  If we really believed that truth how would be living our lives?  I believe that we would be much more radical in our faith.  Wouldn't we want to tell every single person that we run into every day?  Wouldn't we want to shout it from the rooftops that we know the Creator?  We know the plan for all of humanity!  We know the solution to our problems.  We know the answer to world peace! 

Shallow Christianity, I'm afraid, will lead to mocking.  We are not called to be shallow followers of Christ, but rather, radical faithful followers who are willing to follow him all the way to the cross. 


Prayer

Lord, please forgive my behavior which may not have been wholly in support of you.  I truly desire to be a radical follower!  Amen.

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