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Humiliation

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company or soldiers around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spat on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again. After they had mocked Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him” (Matthew 27:27-31).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

During this month, we are going to remember again the events of Matthew 27 and 28. However, I would like to draw your attention to the soldiers’ attempt to humiliate Jesus. At different times in our lives, we have all been humiliated. We know what it is, so it is easy to project our past experience to this one of Jesus being mocked.

However, has it ever occurred to you that Jesus was not humiliated? Humiliation only happens to proud people. He had humbled Himself far beyond anyone’s attempt to do it to Him (Philippians 2:5-11).



Written March 1989.

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