The soldiers’ challenge
by Emma Strelan
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They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ they said (Matthew 27:28,29).
Read Matthew 27:24–31
I don’t know if it’s just the corner of the internet I hang out in, but I’ve noticed that online, no topic, event or person is off-limits from becoming the subject of mockery. Whether it’s a silly internet meme that does the rounds or a string of scathing comments on a Facebook post, people on the internet love to mock. I’m almost amazed by the creativity and effort that goes into mocking and making a joke out of things online.
I won’t lie and say I don’t appreciate a tasteful meme that pokes fun at serious issues every now and then. However, I think we can all agree that most of the time, the mockery goes too far, damaging people’s livelihoods and wellbeing.
In our past few days of devotions, we’ve seen Jesus challenged and mocked by a variety of people, from those who consider themselves his intellectual opponents/superiors to his closest friends, and now by these Roman soldiers. And they go to quite creative lengths in their mocking endeavours to bring out the irony of this man who claims to be a king, providing him with all the pomp and circumstance due a king, but in the most twisted and mocking ways they can think of.
As humans, we are gifted with wit, creativity and fun. But with that comes the temptation to turn these into tools for power plays, manipulation and a chance to prove ourselves intelligent and funny to others. A snide, witty comment posted about the latest public appearance of a politician may get a few laughing reactions on Facebook; however, it is a far cry from the purpose for which we’ve been given these skills.
As Charles Spurgeon observed, if only we were ‘half as inventive in devising honour for our King as these soldiers were in planning his dishonour!’
As we read with horror the mockery our Saviour faced on his way to the cross, may we find ways to let our own intelligence and creativity bring him glory and honour instead.
Lord, you know what it is like to be at the receiving end of human cruelty. Please guide us to seek better uses of the creativity you’ve given us than to put others down. Keep showing us how to live with radical compassion. Amen.
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