TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort to Him. And they stripped Him and put a red cloak on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him, and took the reed and beat Him on the head. And after they had mocked Him, they took the cloak off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they compelled to carry His cross.

Matthew 27:27–32

DEVOTIONAL

by Stephanie Reloj

Some people prefer hearing “happy” and “joyful” preachings only. However, before we reach that kind of message, we have to remember that our Joy-giver first suffered. Understanding that persecution is part of the Christian life helps us to prepare mentally and spiritually. It spurs us to live boldly for Christ, knowing that our temporary sufferings are part of our witness to the world. Can we identify moments when we’ve faced mockery or misunderstanding for our beliefs, and how did we respond?

Can you imagine experiencing the intense suffering and humiliation Jesus endured before His crucifixion? The soldiers mockingly dressed Him in a scarlet robe, placed a crown of thorns on His head, and gave Him a staff, striking Him repeatedly. Despite being the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus submitted to this abuse to fulfill the prophecy and secure our salvation.

Jesus’ endurance of mockery and suffering, symbolized by the crown of thorns, teaches us about humility, perseverance, and the depth of His love. When faced with ridicule or hardship, we can draw strength from His example. He willingly suffered not just physical pain but also emotional and spiritual anguish for our redemption.

Today’s passage also challenges us to consider how we respond to the sufferings and mockeries we face in our own lives. Jesus’ reaction was not one of retaliation but of grace and forgiveness. In our interactions, we should strive to emulate His response, showing love and patience even to those who hurt us.

The soldiers’ actions were cruel, but they fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:3-4, which Jesus knew well. This reminds us that God’s plan is often beyond our understanding, and He can use even the worst situations for His glory and our good.

 

PRAYER