Rejection and Humiliation

Text: Mark 15:12-21

Reflection and Question: First, because Pilate is more interested in placating the crowd than in the justice of Jesus’ fate, Barabbas is released instead of Jesus. Second, the soldiers beat Jesus up and mock Him with the sarcastic words, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Finally, Jesus is too weak to follow the custom of carrying the instrument of His own torture and death, and Simon from the country is enlisted to carry the cross. When we wear crosses with pride and read this story from handsome books, it is easy to miss the utter rejection and humiliation that fill this moment. Can you feel them now?

Prayer: ”Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That we to judge Thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
Oh, most afflicted!” Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).