Daily Devotion for April 3, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 34

 

A Purple Robe

 

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.  Mark 15:16-20

 

Jesus had been paraded before the crowd on the front steps of the Procurator’s official building, the Praetorium. After Pilate passed judgment, and let the mob rule for him, Jesus was taken back into the courtyard of this building and soldiers of the guard came to do their master’s business, and have a bit of fun at the same time. A Roman soldier lived a rough and cruel life. He was used to the barbarity of oppression, and of the gladiatorial contests then so popular. The opportunity to be entertained by some unfortunate proved too much to resist. It was a shame, but he was going to die anyway. Why not have a laugh along the way?  After all – Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, they were told would be one that would do away with the Romans.  So they were told by the Jews.  So now was their chance to show how wrong that was.  And yes – it was wrong.  Jesus THE MESSIAH did not come to do away with them but rather to bring to them eternal life. 

 

So, the soldiers clothed Jesus in a purple robe, to signify kingship, and they plaited together some of the thorns growing nearby and placed them on His head, as though they were a crown of finest gold, and they mocked Him. ‘Hail’ was a greeting used to honor a respected person. It meant ‘All health to you!’ a strange thing to say to a man whose back has been torn to shreds and whose brow was covered in blood. If only they had known whom they mocked. Then they hit the Savior on the head with a reed or stick, most probably one that they had attempted to put in His hand as if it was a scepter, the symbol of authority. They spat at Him, repeatedly, and bowed their knees before Him in attitudes of worship.

 

Like vengeful children they sported with Jesus until, growing tired of their game, they stripped the robe from His back and sent Him on His weary way. Meanwhile, heaven grew silent. Only the abundant mercy of God prevented apocalypse then and there. Jesus prepared to let evil have its way with Him so that love might conquer in the end.

 

Prayer
Jesus, you demonstrated in a painful way never to return evil for evil.  Help me to have that same attitude in my dealings with others.  Even when others turn against me, help me to be loving and to show mercy.  This is hard, and only can be done with Your help.  Amen

 

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