Lent Day 32: Matthew 27 (#4)

27: At that time, the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the governor's palace, and they gathered the whole company of soldiers before him.

28: They stripped him of his clothes, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29: They wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and placed a reed in his right hand. They knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

30: They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

31: After they had mocked him, they took off the scarlet robe, put his own clothes back on him, and led him away to crucify him.

◇ Jesus wore a crown of thorns, a scarlet robe, and held a reed in his right hand. What must his battered and bruised body have looked like after being flogged? 

When we see this scene recreated in movies, it is a sight so gruesome that it cannot be described in words, and it is unbearable to watch. Imagining Jesus, covered in blood from the flogging, wearing a crown of thorns, a scarlet robe, and holding a reed, brings tears to our eyes.

Some people refer to this as Jesus' coronation ceremony. Could there be a more cruel and humiliating coronation ceremony? A coronation is usually solemn, joyful, and splendid. People are filled with expectations and hopes for the new ruler, and there are many congratulatory messages.

But Jesus' coronation is filled with bloodshed, screams of pain, mockery, sneer, despair, and hopelessness. Who would ever see this as a king's coronation?

God has transformed mockery and laughter into praise and worship. He has turned despair and hopelessness into hope and faith. He has changed death into resurrection and given eternal life. He has elevated Jesus' obedience into salvation. He has made us confess that this gruesome and sorrowful scene is indeed a true coronation ceremony.

♧ Lord Jesus, be my eternal king and savior. Give me the faith and courage to follow you! Holy Spirit, lead me in truth!