What Jesus Did! 'The Humiliation Begins in Earnest' — Mark 15:16-19

Monday, December 2, 2024

The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor's headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.
— Mark 15:16-19 NLT

Key Thought

The purpose of crucifixion wasn't just to kill a criminal. It was also to serve as a deterrent to crime by utterly humiliating the person who was to be crucified. So once Pilate signaled that Jesus would be crucified, the humiliation began in earnest. Not only would Jesus be killed on a cross; he would be humiliated every step of the way. He had warned his closest followers that this would happen. He knew what was coming. He faced it because it was God's will and the basis of our salvation. How can we not be willing to face embarrassment, ridicule, and even persecution for him?

Today's Prayer

O Father, help me to never be ashamed of Jesus. After what he endured for me, I want to faithfully stand by him and to courageously stand up for him. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and with genuine courage to honor you and your Son, no matter the cost. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 13:12-13
  • Mark 8:34-37
  • Mark 10:32-34

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

That's Disgusting
Article by Alan Smith
What's so awful about that? We often take our own sin too lightly and need to be shocked into realization of how bad it is.
Crown of Thorns
Illustration of Mark 15:17
Inspirational illustration of Mark 15:17 -- They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.
The Promise in the Crown of Thorns
Article by Max Lucado
There is more to the crown of thorns Jesus carried than meets the eye at first glance. Max Lucado reminds us of the grace and love shown to us in the crown of thorns Jesus wore to the cross.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 15:16-19 NLT — "Hail! King of the Jews!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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