3/10/21

"And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands." (Mark 14:65)
In my A. M. reading assignment, I read about how Jesus was mistreated at His hearing before the Sanhedrin court. It breaks my heart.
The Sanhedrin was a group of very elite and very religious people. They were judges that heard accusations against a person accused of breaking Jewish law. They were supposed be experts in matters of the Jewish faith. They were supposed to be Godly, and good people.
How blind they were! How blind were they?
Standing before them is the very One that they were praying to come. Yet they don't know Him.
They accused Him of blasphemy! He was not a blasphemer!
They condemned Him to death. (v. 64)
They spit on Him! "And some began to spit on him,..." (v. 65) That is a total lack of respect. According to the Old Testament, you made someone 'unclean' by spitting on them.
They blindfolded Him, and began to strike Him. Then asked Him to 'prophesy' who had struck Him! (v. 65) He knew!
Then, their servants joined in the attack. "...and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands." (v. 65) They slapped Jesus in the face!
Spitting on Him! Mocking Him! Slapping Him in the face! It is heart-breaking.
Jesus could have spoken one word. He could have said, "Die." And they would have all died! But He didn't. Jesus did not come to kill. He came to save!
If you ever begin to understand the love of God: how deep, how wide, how long, how great, how infinite, how selfless, how wonderful, you could never mistreat Him. And you can't mistreat others.
This day, when you are insulted or disrespected, stop and remember how people treated Jesus, and endure!
And, remember, if people mistreated Jesus, they'll mistreat you, too. Not because you are a bad person, but because they don't know Jesus.
From my heart to your heart.