The onlookers, religious leaders, and the soldiers did not just yell, or speak, or scream. They hurled verbal stones at Jesus. They had every intention of hurting and bruising Him. In effect, they were saying: "We have broken the body, now let us break the spirit".
Their words were bitter, acidic, full of sarcasm, hateful - irreverent. Apparently, to crucify Him was not enough or, the neails were not sufficient, or the crown of thorns were too soft, or the flogging was too short.
Of all the scences around the cross, this scene troubles me most. It makes me angry. What kind of people are they who would do such things? Would you mock a dying man? Or, would you pour salt of scorn upon open wounds? Would you snare at one who is laced with pain? Or, would you make fun of one setting on an electric chair? Or, would you laugh at a criminal who has hangman's noose around his neck?
Their words were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt. James call the tongue fire whose burns are as destructive as those of a bluetorch.
No doubt, we too, have share of words that wound. Perhaps the words were intended to hurt you. Or, maybe not. But that does matter. The wound is deep. The injuries are internal - broken heart, wounded pride and bruised ego.
But Jesus did not retaliate. He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. Jesus left the judging to God. Jesus did not take on the task of seeking revenge. He demanded no apology.
Yes. The words thrown at Jesus that Friday were bitter. The verbal stones were meant to sting. How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, with eyes blinded by his own blood, with lungs grasping for air, could speak on behalf of those heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. I have never, never have seen such love!
Their words were bitter, acidic, full of sarcasm, hateful - irreverent. Apparently, to crucify Him was not enough or, the neails were not sufficient, or the crown of thorns were too soft, or the flogging was too short.
Of all the scences around the cross, this scene troubles me most. It makes me angry. What kind of people are they who would do such things? Would you mock a dying man? Or, would you pour salt of scorn upon open wounds? Would you snare at one who is laced with pain? Or, would you make fun of one setting on an electric chair? Or, would you laugh at a criminal who has hangman's noose around his neck?
Their words were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt. James call the tongue fire whose burns are as destructive as those of a bluetorch.
No doubt, we too, have share of words that wound. Perhaps the words were intended to hurt you. Or, maybe not. But that does matter. The wound is deep. The injuries are internal - broken heart, wounded pride and bruised ego.
But Jesus did not retaliate. He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. Jesus left the judging to God. Jesus did not take on the task of seeking revenge. He demanded no apology.
Yes. The words thrown at Jesus that Friday were bitter. The verbal stones were meant to sting. How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, with eyes blinded by his own blood, with lungs grasping for air, could speak on behalf of those heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. I have never, never have seen such love!
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