Station 9: Condemned to Death
Matthew 27:26-31
26 Then [Pilate] released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
FOR FURTHER READING:
John 19:1-16
REMEMBER
This kind of mockery was above and beyond – the kind of death Jesus was heading toward was the worst of the worst. Not only were the religious leaders ruling in favor of this torture and death openly, they were raising the importance of it because they believed it elevated themselves. Their actions, along with Pilate’s stemmed ultimately from fear and selfishness, and Jesus humbly let it happen to fulfill His ultimate calling.
Jesus didn’t deserve any of this, but we do. Jesus did no wrong, and even Pilate recognized that (see John’s account). He was perfect – fully man and fully God. He lived a life of no sin, and His life was riddled with going out of His way to serve, love, and heal others. Yet, because God is fully just – a price needed to be paid for our sinful nature. Jesus, being fully God and completely sinless, was willing and capable to bear our penalty for us so we wouldn’t have to.
The penalty for our sin was severe. Jesus fully bore the painful consequence that each of us has earned. The entire measure of God’s wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus that day as He was tortured and executed. It’s hard to read, but understanding just how intense it was allows for us to grieve and accept this gift that much more.
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6
RECOGNIZE
Consider the pain and punishment that Jesus endured. Why would Jesus willingly die in our place?
What does it mean to you that Jesus was so willing to bear the burdens of your sin so you wouldn’t have to? How would your life look different if you lived in light of this truth daily?
RECEIVE
Dear Lord Jesus, YOU are my king. I am choosing to worship You above everything else. You bore my sin in Your body on the cross. By Your stripes I am healed and forgiven. You loved me so deeply that You gave Your very life for me. Your kindness has won my heart! I am forever thankful. Amen.