Violence
- Pillow Author
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
Mark 14:43,61-62,64-65 NKJV
And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. [61] But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" [62] Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." [64] You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. [65] Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
Mark 15:12-13,15-17,19 NKJV
Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" [13] So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" [15] So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. [16] Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. [17] And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, [19] Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.
It increasingly amazes me how humans are drawn to gratuitous violence.
Kids play computer games where they shoot, kill and use "cyber violence" for their entertainment.
On this Good Friday observe the violence unleashed against the Son of God.
Not content with crucifying Him, Pilste had Jesus, whom he had declared innocent, cruelly scourged.
The soldiers "entertained" themselves by jamming a crown of thorns on Jesus' head, beat Him with a reed and spat on Him.
What twisted sadism was it that made them initiate such torture to the gentle Son of God?
In the States, where they still use the Death Penalty, I read about a convicted murderer who was allowed to chose his form of execution - lethal injection, electric chair or firing squad.
He chose the firing squad, where a target was placed over his heart and 15 volunteers fired simultaneously to put him to death.
He died within 5 minutes.
Our perfect, Lamb of God's undeserved Passion took far longer.
From Gethsemane to His last cry from the Cross, He endured the violence and punishment we deserve for long, lonely, agonising hours.
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
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