Mark 15:16-20- Mocking Jesus

Mocking Jesus

While reading I thought to myself, "Is Jesus still mocked today?" The answer is yes and it is done often. But this is not something that is new. People who do not follow Christ and insult him and mock him have been around for over 2000 years.

In Mark 15:16-20 as Jesus was arrested it was customary for Pilate (the Roman governor of Judea) to release one prisoner back into the population. The choices were Barrabas and the was Jesus. Pilate had a feeling that the chief priests had Jesus arrested out of their envy. Instead the crowd chose "The King of the Jews." This was the name people used to mock Jesus as many did not believe in Jesus and hated him as he went against man's religious traditions in favor of God's will.

The crowd was adamant to have Jesus crucified (see verses 13-14). Kings during that day wore purple robes and a gilded wreath of leaves. Jesus was draped in a purple cloth rag and was given a crown of thorns in order to mock royalty of the time. The people shouted "Hail, King of the Jews" in mocking efforts of praising Caesar. They gave him reed in place of scepter and instead of kissing him out of respect as they would do a king, the bowed on their knees and spat on him.

Today, there are parades and contests that are held where people dress up as Jesus and wear the same garb that he was dressed on when he was mocked before he was hung on the cross. There was a parade held to compare the struggle for rights of gay people to what Christ physically went through. The contest is called "Hunky Jesus" and judges which person is the best looking and actually dressed like Jesus. These are not done out of respect for Christ and him dying for our sins, but in order to make fun and have fun at the expense of our Lord and Savior. Galations 6:7 says "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." People need to remember that.

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Mark 14:6- Anointing of Jesus

Anointing of Jesus

In Mark 14:6, we get to see Jesus stand up for a woman who, in a sense, was being bullied by people. A woman used expensive oil and poured it over Jesus's head. It was used to anoint him, which symbolizes empowering, blessing and protection in religious ceremonies. Many were upset that she "wasted" the oil on Jesus when it could have been sold for 300 denarii (which would be worth today $30,000 USD).

What these men overlooked was their own selfishness. They overlooked what was being done for Jesus and thought of what they could have done with the money. I equate that to skipping on tithing because you would rather use the money for your own personal gain.

Jesus stood up for her and asked the men why they troubled/bothered her understanding that she did a beautiful thing for him. She did what she could to anoint his body for burial. Jesus is saying that he is going to die.

 Jesus knew he was fulfilling prophecies. He knew the role Judas would have and what part Peter would play. He knew that they would "not always have" him. He foretells his betrayal and his death on the cross.

Jesus knew what his purpose was and went through with it anyway. The more I read about Jesus the more my heart breaks for what our sin did to him. The more my heart breaks for how he was treated when he dedicated his life for us.

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Mark 8:34-38- Deny Yourself

Deny Yourself

In reading through Mark 8, a few verses jumped out to me. But, there is one section that really strikes a chord with me. Jesus said many things through his time on earth, but we misconstrue, twist and manipulate what he said. Maybe we do it for personal gain or we do it because we are just confused.

In verses 31-32, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection, and then in verse 34, Jesus goes on to tell people that they must "deny themselves" and "take up their cross and follow" him. If you are to deny yourself, as Christ meant it, it means you are concerned with what God wants from you, not what man wants from you. Man's ways are flawed as they seek personal gain and self promotion (take a look at selfies and social media). If you are to deny yourself, you are not looking to fulfill your motives, you are looking to fulfill God's desires.

Taking up the cross was not an act that was applauded, it was a death sentence. You had to carry the very thing that was going to be used to kill you for your crimes. Jesus carried his cross but was not guilty of any crime. Are you willing to be mocked and ridiculed and falsely accused and persecuted and bullied for following Christ?

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