A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Matthew 27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

These are hard words to read. I remember watching The Passion of The Christ with my hands guarding my eyes. I don't love watching violence in general. But, hate-filled violence against my Jesus is overwhelming to read. I think it's important to consider it all, though. The undressing, the thorns in His head, and the mocking were all part of the cruelty Jesus chose to endure for love. As we journey with Jesus through the increasingly difficult part of His life and mission, let's not forget that He endured all of it because of a great love for us. "We love others, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)." And, this love cost Jesus His body, His life, and His dignity.

Below, I've included the same passage in The Passion Translation. I want to invite you to simply read the story again. Which part is the hardest for you to imagine?

Then the guards took him into their military compound, where a detachment of nearly six hundred soldiers surrounded him. They stripped off his clothing and placed a scarlet robe on him to make fun of him. Then they braided a crown of thorns and forcefully shoved it onto his head. After placing a reed staff in his right hand, they knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Then they spat in his face and took the reed staff from his hand and hit him repeatedly on his head, driving the crown of thorns deeper. When they finished ridiculing him, they took off the scarlet robe and put his own clothes back on him and led him away to be crucified.

Dear Jesus,

We praise You and give thanks that we get to journey with You through this season of Lent. Draw us closer to Your heart, that we might know You better. After we daily reflect on Your selflessness and life-giving Word, give us wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the world just as You intend. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take Your good news to the world. We love You and are honored to serve you Lord, our sweet Savior. Amen.

Week 4 Act of Kindness

“I needed clothes and you clothed me” Matthew 25:36a

This week, donate clothing to a thrift store or homeless shelter.