Scripture: Matthew 27:27-38
Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Some Thoughts
This is a familiar heart-rending passage. It is stated in such a matter-of-fact manner. Jesus was hauled into headquarters and, notice, the entire regiment was called out. These soldiers had undoubtedly heard of Jesus and wanted to see him. They also wanted extra security no doubt. Can you picture a large group of coarse Roman soldiers insulting, mocking, and striping Jesus then giving him a scepter, the rod of a king? I can image all the things they said that are mercifully not recorded in Scripture. Jesus remained silent. I wonder if these soldiers became more and more off center as things progressed. They had crucified thousands of people before and I doubt any had responded in silence as did Jesus. The soldiers did offer him wine mixed with gall but Jesus refused after tasting it.
There is such irony. In mocking ignorance, the soldiers wrote the truth on the placard, “He is King of the Jews.” And you’ll notice, once again, the thieves are two witnesses to the truth, even though one does not believe (Deut. 17:6). But one thief testifies to the truth and believes. One of the things that stands out to me in this whole passage is Jesus’ restraint and acceptance of the abuse in all its forms. Can you imagine having the power to destroy the mockers with a single word, and not only not using it, but saying nothing, not even “Do you have any idea who is in your presence, your Creator and the Creator of the entire universe?”
What was Jesus’ basis for keeping quiet and not responding? Obedience to the Father and an unmovable commitment to fulfilling his mission of redeeming the entire created order, not just people. This was the moment in the history of the universe that would change and bring transformation to the entire creation in eternity. Other than Jesus and his Father, no other being had a clue as to what was transpiring. Despite the taunts, mockery, ridicule, and sick curiosity of others, Jesus remained on course. God the Father, however, did speak through his action. The curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook and split rocks, tombs opened, and many people were raised from the dead and left the cemetery in affirmation and acceptance of the Son’s atoning sacrifice. That must have been a frightening sight. The soldiers quickly gained perspective in their words; this man truly was the Son of God. In reading this passage again, I’m quite sure we have little idea of the depth of Christ’s love for the Father and the Father’s love for his Son. The Triune God has made it possible for us to experience being loved far more than we mortals can grasp. What a gracious God we have.
Music: “Agnus Dei,” Robert Shaw Festival Singers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ilqJW3fV8&list=TLPQMjkwMTIwMjCrAh08LRSyCA&index=1 There are many recordings of this piece. It is extremely difficult to sing with very long phrases. Many conductors speed it up so it is easier to sing. This recording has terrific singers and Mr. Shaw lets the text determine the tempo. “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.” This recording is also beautifully balanced among the parts. The music aurally paints the meaning of the text.
“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” Fernando Ortega
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
-Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th century
O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown,
O sacred head, what glory,
what bliss till now was thine,
yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.
What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners’ gain,
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
‘tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
and grant to me thy grace.
What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever,
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.
Prayer:
Today he who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon his face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also thy glorious Resurrection.
―Hymns for Good Friday, Orthodox