John 19:4 ”Pilate came out again and said to them, ‘Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.’”
Had Pilate found Jesus guilty of anything worthy of death, he would not have brought Him out to the Jews. He would have had Him crucified without any hesitation. As it was, after trying Him by scourging, Jesus was spotless. It’s important for us to recognize, Jesus suffered not because He did something wrong, but because we have done many things wrong.
He was the spotless lamb of God, led to the slaughter, where He willingly shed His blood so we might know God’s love and salvation. I remember watching the movie, The Passion. During the scene when Jesus was scourged, I couldn’t take it. I wanted to shout out, “Enough! I can’t take any more!” What struck me was that there probably was no one in the Praetorium crying out those words. It was God who finally said, “That’s enough.” Only then did the soldiers wash off their deadly instruments and hang them up to dry. But God wasn’t finished. His love was deeper and greater. His commitment to glorify His Son to the uttermost required more.
This speaks to my heart when I consider to what extent will I love someone. I’m not talking about those around me that are easy to love. I have my enemies in mind. Jesus didn’t suffer for righteous people. While we were still His enemies, Christ died for us. That love revealed in the scourging, mocking, and shaming lets me know that there should never be a time when I say, “That person is too difficult to love. They require too much sacrifice from me. They are too toxic. Too hurtful. Too demanding.” No, as I consider the first phase of His suffering, I realize living to love with Jesus will cost me my life. It is a privilege to love whoever He puts in my path for His glory just as Jesus loved those soldiers that day.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
