The Abuse of Jesus

Matthew 27:26-31

Pontius Pilate ordered the Roman soldiers to flog Jesus. The result was not just a flogging, but also an abusive mocking (I don’t use the word “abuse” lightly.) In addition to the flogging, the soldiers dressed him up in a costume to make him look like a king. They gave Jesus a crown of thorns, a fake scepter, and a scarlet robe to make him appear regal. They then knelt before him to mock him even more. After mocking him, they spit on him, used the “scepter” to tap down the crown of thorns to make them dig in a little deeper, and they stripped the robe off his body (which was already full of open wounds from the whipping) and placed the original clothes back on those open wounds.

Questions for further thought:
1. How was Jesus physically abused?
2. How was Jesus emotionally abused?

​Challenge: Recall a time when you were wronged for something you did not deserve. How did it hurt you? Have you shared that burden with God? Take time to share with God the pain it caused. If needed, share with someone you can trust to help you release that to God.