mockery for which He died

Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Matthew 26:67-68

They mocked and ridiculed Jesus at His trial. It made no difference as He still gave Himself up for our sins. The very spitting, physical abuse, and mockery He endured as they hated Him were sins Jesus would carry with His cross and shed His blood to forgive. Mocking and hating Jesus can be forgiven. It will not change the truth. Jesus stands above it, as a loving Savior and victorious Lord.

The vicious enemies of Christ may enjoy their mockery of Him. Notice how these first men to slap the Savior mock His claims and take His name in vain… “you Christ!” The name and title that they should bow to in reverence is an object of their ridicule as they see themselves in power over the fate of Jesus. They are sinfully arrogant and deceived. And reading their hateful mockery in the light of salvation history is sobering. You can think light of Jesus. You can use His name as a curse word. He will still love you and die for you. But you will definitely be on the wrong side of the story if you continue in that dismissal of Him.

Lord Jesus,

Some in this cruel world still mock You. Yet You don’t strike them back. You will stand offering forgiveness for even the cruelest treatment when repentance and faith turn a soul to see You in Your mercy, grace, and power. You died for a culture that spits on You. You willingly gave Yourself to the blows to carry the guilt of those abuses to the cross, there to atone forever every act of hate, mockery, and violence we have ever or will ever do. Such is Your great forgiving love. Thank You Lord for such mercy to us, even at our most hate-filled.

Amen