MARKAN MEDITATIONS

Meditations in the Gospel of St. Mark

St. Mark 15:16-20

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THERE ARE two views to consider in these few verses. One view is of the Saviour which enhances our understanding of the lengths Jesus was willing to go to save us. The other view is of the awfulness of humanity in sin, and the degradation human nature will stoop to. Both views, in their different ways, are deeply instructive and deserve our attention.

The view of humanity in sin is so terribly sad. These soldier into whose charge Jesus was committed had a job to do, but not content with that they used the opportunity to satisfy their sinful lusts on Jesus, persecuting Jesus unnecessarily knowing that they would not be criticised, because those who had committed Jesus to their care would approve of their evil rather than condemn it. Further, both the soldiers and those who gave Jesus up to suffering would justify their evil by saying that nothing was too bad for Jesus to suffer.

What is awful about humanity, seen in the action of these soldiers in their mocking of Jesus, is that there is on the one hand the ease in which humanity is willing to judge others, though not seeing personal sin nor realising human beings have no right to judge another. Then on the other hand there is the ghastly sight of human being delighting in the suffering pain they give to another and gloating over it. Human beings get pleasure out of the sufferings they cause to others. How bad can we get. This is the same spirit that gloats over others failings and gossips and criticises over the faults of others.

How blind human nature is. So blinded by sin, these soldiers could not see the purity and goodness in the one they persecuted, or that he deserved none of the sufferings heaped upon him. Sin in human beings is always ready to see evil in others, though very reluctant to see personal sin. Goodness is even hateful to sinful humanity. It was the pure goodness of Jesus that brought so much hate from the world embodied in the Jewish leaders. The pureness of Jesus rebuked their living and threatened it. Sinful humanity cannot stand this and always retaliates.

These soldiers delighted in the sufferings of another, and attacked where there was no opportunity for reprisals. They delighted in kicking a man when he was down, and increasing the sufferings already there. And before we are ready to condemn out of hand let us understand that we are really no better, and given the right circumstances we would most probably do the same. The atrocities of soldiers and police under certain circumstance and stresses testify this. Nor are any of us free from the spirit that is ready to condemn and reject when there is someone already under a cloud and suffering condemnation. We are self-righteous people at heart.

Sinful humanity does not realise the desperate evil of their actions. Not only did these soldiers have no consciousness of the evil of kicking someone when he is down, but they did not know that they were committing the great and terrible sin of persecuting the Lord of Glory and their God. What is true is that every sin in the end is not just a sin against others or a sin against law, but a sin against God. What a terrible and sad view this is.

The other view is wholly amazing and wonderful. This view breathes out the wisdom and love of God. It is the view of the willing humiliation of the Saviour. Neither the Jewish authorities nor the Roman authorities had any power over Jesus. Jesus was standing a prisoner in the hands of these soldiers because Jesus willingly gave himself into their hands. He submitted willingly to the malice of the world. He could have exerted his power as God and brought down terrible judgement upon these soldiers mocking him. Yet because in the wisdom of God there was no other way that his sinful creatures could be saved from divine wrath against their sins, the Son of God gladly took our flesh and accepted the responsibility for our sins in order to bear the guilt of that sin in our place. It was the infinite love of God that was willing to suffer such loss and humiliation for the sake of such sinners as these soldiers.

What depth of humiliation Jesus was suffering at this moment. These were the creatures he had created. They owed him honour and obedience. Further they were evil at heart and were venting their evil on him the pure Son of Glory. Yet without any complaint or defence or retaliation Jesus bore all the suffering heaped upon him. He was doing this willing for the very people who were persecuting him.

We view here Jesus willingly accepting the role of sin-bearer and accepting the sinners place, so that our guilt being place on him, he might bear the just punishment and bear it completely that all who believe on Jesus might be saved.

How amazing is this event. Although the soldiers meant in no way to pay honour to Jesus but rather to humiliate him, yet by their actions they paid testimony to the truth. Jesus was a king, and not any king but the King of kings. He was their God and was owed all the worship of his creatures. Acts that were meant in derision actually paid testimony to the truth. Jesus is both God and King over all.