Lent Devotions
Lent Week Six

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Lent Day Thirty
Jesus Mocked and Smitten

Music
Above All – Michael W Smith

Scripture

Luke 22:63-65 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Mocked and Beaten
63 The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating Him. 64 After blindfolding Him, they kept[a] asking, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other blasphemous things against Him.

Matthew 26:66-68 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

66 What is your decision?”
They answered, “He deserves death!” 67 Then they spit in His face and beat Him; others slapped Him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit You?”

Mark 14:65 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!” The temple police also took Him and slapped Him.

Devotion
Psalm 22

There is so much in Psalm 22 that refers back to Christ’s trial and crucifixion.
We’ve looked at the first words – Why hast thou forsaken me.

Psalm 22:6-7
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by people.
7 Everyone who sees me mocks me;
they sneer and shake their heads:

Isaiah 50:6

Jesus taught in the sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

He taught this BEFORE this day! On THIS DAY, he exemplified this teaching.
This isn’t the only time during this day that he is smitten – he’s going to be whipped, with enough strikes that most died from the whipping. He’s going to collapse under the weight of the cross. Spit upon. Rocks thrown.

This is just days after being welcomed into the city with palm branches, riding on a donkey.
How did his reputation fall so far in such a short time? It wasn’t his repuatation…it was a plot by those that wanted to destroy him. And, the hoards went along. They yelled whatever the leaders wanted them to yell!

Reading through this so slowly has been very disturbing to me…humbling and distressful.
I’m seeing more clearly just how Jesus loved me, loved me enough to be ridiculed in ways that we can only imagine.
Jesus loved me enough to go through pain that makes the chronic pain I suffer with pale in comparison.

I don’t like my hair pulled – and they pulled out his beard….
I hate paper scratches…and they whipped him.
I hate being made fun of, and they played games with him…taunting him.

When I am treated badly, I can maintain my integrity for a while…a LITTLE while,
and yet…

Isaiah 53:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished Him
for[a] the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
He did not open His mouth.

These very things will come up in some of the other posts…like him in the court room….
He told Peter that he could call down legions of angels….but that this had to be fulfilled.

I don’t have the power within me to stop others from making fun of me.
I don’t have the power within me to stop someone from traumatizing me(I didn’t as a child, for sure).
I don’t have the power to stop pain from occurring.

But Jesus did. And still he stood quietly, as a lamb led to the slaughter.

My life has not been perfect, and by the ledgers of right and wrong based on the old testament law, I don’t deserve any good thing…Deuteronomy 28. Still, I grumble when trials come my way.

Jesus did NOTHING wrong…and he stood meekly, taking this humiliation FOR ME.

My word for 2018 has been to be like Jesus.
I’m not liking that phrase in light of this study!

The fruit of the spirit is… LONG SUFFERING….(Galatians 5:22-23) another word for patience. I do not have a lot of fruit in this area!

Jesus knew what the outcome was going to be…and he chose to suffer long to see that process through.
I don’t see the future as Jesus does, but I know that HE holds the future…so, by His grace, I should be able to suffer long, knowing that Romans 8:28 – all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to HIS purposes.
I know that He is faithful to finish the work that He began in me! Phil 1:6

Jesus was NOT ashamed of the Gospel – and he paid the price to fulfill it.

• Am I ashamed of the gospel? Romans 1:16
• Do I stand for the gospel? Ephesians 6:13
• Have I counted the cost? Luke 14:28
• Am I willing to partake in His sufferings? 1 Peter 4:1

This is Christianity – this is what it is to be a Christ follower. Am I willing to pay this cost?
What have you decided?

Prayer and Worship

I have decided to follow Jesus – Elevation Worship
I surrender All – Newsboys
All to Jesus I surrender – Casting Crowns

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

• Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
• Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
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• Naomi’s Heart Ministries
• Obed’s House Ministries
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