Sean Fitzgerald’s presentation on the Shroud of Turin, especially the part that discussed the Roman scourging, resurfaced the complicated emotions I have for the bullies in the Passion accounts. Sometimes I read their characters as madmen proudly showcasing their power on the innocent. Other times I see them as pitiful, misdirected minions too ignorant to recognize their own depravity. Did their culture’s influence distort their innate sense of compassion? Were they seduced by power? By peer pressure? Were they intentionally evil or ignorant fools?
Anyone that has seen the scourging scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is vividly aware of what that torture involved. What is almost as shocking as the blows to Jesus’ body is the expressions of glee and satisfaction on the faces of the torturers and the indifference of their captain.
In Mark’s Gospel, the crown of thorns scene is especially cringeworthy. Knowing what we know now, how much more blasphemous and profane could people be than to gather a whole battalion, clothe Jesus in purple, place on Him a crown of thorns, spit on Him, kneel down in satirical homage, and salute Him mockingly with the words, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Hell, it seems, was created for people such as these, but in Christ’s own words from the Cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” we can understand that Jesus is willing to bestow his mercy on his own torturers and they may be soaking up eternal happiness right now as we speak.
But no matter which destination is their home today, I envision the moment of their death, standing before Jesus, the true King of the Universe, and I pity the fools. Whatever road we take will lead us to the King of Kings too. Let us be sure to follow the way of Jesus, not our culture, power, or peers if theirs is the way of fools.
Scripture: Read Mark 15:16-20. Picture yourself in this scene. How does it make you feel?
Call to Action: Are you ready to stand before Christ today? What might he say to you? What might you say to Him?
