Horrible Abuse

On “Good Friday” a number of us watched a movie of brutality, blood, pain, loss and death.  It was a hard watch (I do not watch boxing, martial arts, cage fighting or the like for the sheer magnitude of brutality).

We watched boxing matches with men beating on the other inflicting great suffering and even death.

I was awakened a couple of times in the night thinking of what my Jesus experienced those 18 or so hours from arrest to death.  The brutality, blood, pain, gore and blows!  Those boxing matches in a sense depict what my Jesus went through for my salvation.  Consider…

First the religious leaders and their “goons”

John 18:12, Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.  And I am sure that they were gentle and cordial!

18:22, And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

Isaiah 50:5-6, The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.  Think about what you just read!!

Ponder long on this:  Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men, Isaiah 52:14.

Mark 14:65, Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Then came the Romans with all their expertise to brutalize and break Jesus in addition to their attitudes of mockery and jeering.

Luke 23:11, Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 

Mark 15:16-20, Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

The terrible Roman whip!  Matthew 27:26, Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Then He was Crucified!
Psalm 22:1, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?

22:6-7, But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head,

22:14-17, I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones… They look and stare at Me.

John 19:28, After this, Jesus…that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”

Beaten, Brutalized, Belittled, Battered then Broken and BURIED!  My JESUS!  A hard watch!!

But, Jesus will be the last one standing!

Job 19:25-27, For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Isaiah 42:4, He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.

Isaiah 51:11, So the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Jesus!  Jesus!  Jesus!  Every knee will bow!  Brutality – Yes!  Victory – Yes and YES!!!