Mark 15:16-20 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Mocking is the most inhumane form of making fun of someone else. It cuts deep into people’s psyches when they are mocked with no regard for their feelings or mental health. Bullies learn to use mocking effectively, rendering their victims silent and defeated. Mocking steals our sense of worth and worth. I had to learn to find ways to take back the power from mockers.
In the text of Mark 15, Pontius Pilate had sentenced Jesus to flogging and then crucifixion. He asked Jesus if He were the King of the Jews, and Jesus responded in verse 2, “You have said it!” So, when Jesus is sentenced to die, the Roman soldiers decide to make fun of Him, attempting to steal his dignity and humiliate Him. They dressed Him like a king, with a purple robe and a crown of thorns, and then began to act like they were worshiping him while spitting on Him and hitting and assaulting Him physically. It was an ungodly moment that underscored that Jesus and the Jews lived among oppressors who were bullies and enjoyed attempting to deny the Jews’ humanity.
As people of God, we cannot mock others, bullying them to make ourselves look better. Psalm 1:1 states, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.” We must treat people with dignity, even when they disagree with our doctrine. Mocking and bullying debase us all, leaving life-long scars. Let us practice the grace and love of Jesus, recognizing each other’s humanity. When we are mocked or bullied, let us be like Jesus by not allowing the mocking and awful words and actions of others to change our behaviors, how we see ourselves, or our joy. I know it’s not easy!
Amen.
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