Such Rich Irony

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. ¹⁷ And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. ¹⁸ And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 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:

It’s now the soldiers’ turn to mock Jesus. These are Roman soldiers who are ready to bring this man down. The color purple was not easy to extract for it came from mollusks in the sea. Only the wealthy, or members of the military might be able to wear an article of clothing with the deep color of purple. In another gospel the color is referred to as scarlet, but it is more than likely this same unique color of purple which would signify one’s status in society. 

The entire scene is one of irony where the officials fail to realize that Jesus truly is a king. He doesn’t need the royal robes of society to identify him as the Son of God, and therefore, he goes to the cross wearing his own clothes. His own clothes mark him as the Suffering Servant, the Son of Man, and what he is about to do is much more powerful and enduring than the act of any ruler the world has ever seen. In this moment there is a great reversal for the Judge is the one who is judged, and the Word remains silent. 

Application:

The irony of the moment can be heard and seen in the coarse joking when the soldiers place upon him a “mock” royal robe. What they didn’t realize was that he really was a king. The robe becomes symbolic of the hope that Jesus provides for all of humankind. After Jesus goes to the cross in his own robes, he suffers and dies so that we can join him, wrapped in the true purple robes of royalty, as children of the king. 

The irony is that we, too, can be drawn toward the symbols of power in this world. Even today people are expecting the powers and authorities to solve our national and global problems. Without really thinking about it, most would look upon Jesus, maybe with a faint moment of respect, but would most-likely, mockingly place upon him a robe of mystical belief or unbelief. 

We place upon our leaders and scientists the robe of respect, hoping against hope that they will find the answers to the problems of the day, when we should be looking to the One with all power. The soldiers couldn’t see it, but we are invited to open our eyes and see Jesus for who he really is! He is the King of the Jews, the Suffering Servant, and the Son of Man! He may have remained silent on that day, but it was only that in the future he would be the judge, and the Word would be freely spoken. 

I would rather trust in the One who was wrapped in his own clothes and silently went to the cross. Such irony that they couldn’t see. Can we? 

Prayer:

Lord, may I live as one whose eyes have been opened to the truth of who You are! Amen.