Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink. And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched Him there; And set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Mat 27:26-29, 33-37)
As cruel as the mockings, and the scourging, and the death itself was, GOD was in control during the whole event. He did it for us, for all we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Every beating, and every thorn, even to the cruel death by asphyxiation, was in our place, to pay our sIn debt, and satisfy the justice of GOD. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and afflicted. We despised Him, and esteemed Him stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. Spiritual healing that comes to those who receive Him by repentance and faith.
He endured all that for us, and we, those of us who know Him and have been redeemed by Him because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, ought to endure that which comes upon us in this world, for His sake. We are to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. We are to submit ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is our reasonable service.
As His ambassadors, we are to minister to those who are hurting and in need, most of all with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to love one another, and disciple one another in love and in the Word of GOD. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of reconciliation by repentance and faith in Him, that those who hear may believe and in believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet