JUNE 27,  Matthew 27:26-31

When animals are slaughtered, they often make loud or disturbing noises. But sheep or their young, lambs, are different in that they lay still and silent as they are slaughtered. That is seen in this passage as our precious Saviour was condemned to die. Read the 6 verses again and recount the terrible things they did to Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. What did they do?

Starting from verse 26, we read that they scourged him. To be scourged is to be whipped severely using a multi-thong leather lash often with bones tied to the leather thongs. Scourging is often on one’s back and someone scourged has a back that is torn and bleeding and often that person is in shock due to the extreme pain. But did they stop there in punishing Jesus? No! We read they did many other terrible things to the perfect Lamb of God. They stripped him and mockingly put on him a scarlet robe as they ridiculed him. They also forced a crown of thorns on his bleeding head and bowed to him in disdain hailing him “King of the Jews”. All this time, they were laughing in scorn and they also hit Jesus on the head. Further, they spat on Jesus. In return, what did Jesus do? Nothing. The sinless Lamb of God exhibited what lambs do as they are led to the slaughter-house, he meekly accepted the punishment. Had he wanted to, he could have easily overpowered them for Jesus was God. Or he could have asked for angels to come and destroy some of these enemies in a show of his infinite ability. But he did none of that.

Dear child, as you read this passage, be touched with the meekness and gentleness of our precious Lord. Remember how much Jesus suffered for you and how in turn, you should learn to love and appreciate him more. Although what you read in this passage is already a lot of unjust punishment for an innocent Saviour, more terrible things await him at the cross.

Thought: May I love Jesus more and more.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you so much that You gave Jesus to me. I am so grateful for this most precious of all gifts and I ask that I’d learn to be a better Christian, and to love him more and more. This I ask in his name, Amen.