Father, though it may be on the cool side, we are blessed with a beautiful, sunshiny day! All praise to our awesome Creator God!
John 19:1-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
I hadn’t gotten very far in my reading today when a particular phrase caught my attention. Pilate handed Jesus over to Roman soldiers to do with as they wanted before His crucifixion – unjust though it was! They forced a crown of thorns upon His head, dressed Him in a purple robe, and mockingly proclaimed,

“Hail King of the Jews!”, as they slapped him across the face. v3

The night before these events, after Jesus verbally stood up to the High Priest’s questioning, this took place.

Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. John 18:22 NLT (Emphasis mine.)

Slapped…across the face…
Both times I’ve read that action, it has taken my breath away! They literally slapped GOD in the face! Their Creator! The Being whose power so towered over any of those present that with a mere thought, no words necessary, any number of things could have happened to them – the least of which is that they could have ceased to exist! How audacious! It is shocking in its reality!
The Temple guard may have had an inkling as to who he struck. The Roman soldier probably had no idea whatsoever. Regardless, they were both guilty as all get out!
But neither Jesus nor His Heavenly Father retaliated. It was all part of the plan, no matter how humiliating it was… no matter how outrageous their actions were.
It is easy for us to be appalled by their actions. We can feel justified in pointing our finger at them, highlighting their cruel and over-the-top disregard for Jesus’ standing. But we must never forget that we – every single one of us! – are no less guilty than the guard and the soldier.
Every time we have defied God and done as we well pleased instead, we have, in essence, raised our own hand and slapped Him across the face! “I know better. You know nothing! How dare You tell Me what to do!”
Maybe those particular words don’t come out…but the attitude and mentality do…don’t they?
Lord Jesus, may we not judge the actions of others who have disobeyed and disregarded You and Your commands. May we humbly admit our sin and give ourselves over to Your rule over our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and sins. Amen.

Nov 1st, 2021, Mon, 12:29 pm