They Slapped Him

They Slapped Him!

“Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe.  They kept coming up to him and saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ and they slapped him in the face.” (John 19: 1-3)

In this scene, we see Jesus scourged, crowned with thorns, insulted and slapped.  All in one scene.  He suffered severe physical and mental injuries.  Contemplation of the passion of the Christ has converted many people to Jesus.  Jesus in suffering humbly, patiently and innocently is showing us a powerful example.  “See how much I suffered for you.”  And then he challenges us, “Can you not stay with me for 30 minutes?”

Lord Jesus, you suffered so much just to show how much you love us.  Help us to appreciate this and to trust you completely in everything.