Through the Bible: MarkSample

Jesus Is Mocked

And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:20 (ESV)

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.” Mark 15:31 (ESV)

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins when crucified on the cross. He was stripped of his clothing, whipped, beaten, and spat on. We read the soldiers mocked him, and while on the cross, the chief priests with the scribes and those who passed by also mocked Him (Mark 15:29-31). Jesus endured great suffering and excruciating physical pain on the cross. Besides that, the mocking inflicted great spiritual torment on Him.

In our daily lives as followers of Christ, we will go through times when we are mocked for our faith. When this happens, a common response for us is to retaliate with harsh words in response to the perpetrators. My mother often told me when she was mocked for her faith in Christ, she remembered Jesus' example and kept silent. Jesus did not retaliate when He was stretched out on the cross. Instead of bitter resentment against His executioners, He offered His life to God and waited for His vindication. Hebrews 12:3 tells us to “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” The Christian life requires us to endure patiently and look to Jesus always.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to be the atonement for our sins. May we always look to the cross, remembering what Jesus endured to save us and that our suffering here is momentary; an eternal glory awaits us that far outweighs all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.