Easter ReflectionsSample

The Roman soldiers did not hold anything back as they mocked Jesus. Their ridicule focused on his being a king. They could not understand how a king could be crucified and lacked the physical and military power to resist such humiliation. After Jesus' second trial, it was inevitable that he would be crucified.

Roman soldiers gathered around him and stripped him naked, which in Jewish culture was very shameful, especially if done in public. They then put a scarlet robe on him, a crown of thorns on his head, and a reed in his right hand to represent the sceptre that kings would hold. They mocked, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Were Roman soldiers right that Jesus was not a king? After all, he did not have a throne on earth nor a kingdom that one could physically go to. Yet they were wrong to dismiss Jesus's kingship. As he told Pilate, his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:32-36). Moreover, he is the King of kings (Revelation 19:13, 16; 1 Timothy 6:13-15). Though he didn't have an earthly kingdom then, the kingdom of God will one day be made manifest on the earth (Isaiah 35:1), and Jesus Christ will rule a physical kingdom from David's throne (Isaiah 9:7), with Jerusalem as his Capital (Zechariah 8:3). Moreover, his Kingdom brings "righteousness and peace and joy" (Romans 14:17).

Jesus prophesied that he would be mocked (Matthew 20:19, Mark 10:34, Luke 18:32), just as the Psalmist had prophesied before (Psalm 22:6-8). And yet "when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23).

How could he not reveal back? Peter says that he entrusted himself to God, who judges justly. As his followers, the world will not treat us any better. Yet we must entrust ourselves to the One who judges justly, turning the other cheek just like our Saviour did.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for being willing to be mocked on the first Easter. It has led to an incredible gift of forgiveness for my sins and a fantastic relationship with you. Amen.