Jesus Suffered Physically

Yesterday I mentioned how I got hijacked by tangential thoughts during James’ sermon on Sunday. Well, I was yanked back from the rabbit hole as James described how public executions were deemed to be good social events and entertainment where families would pack a picnic and bring their children to watch, and girls would sit on the shoulders of their boyfriends to be able to see past the crowds which numbered in the tens of thousands. Disgusting! And that was England only 400 years ago!

Now try to imagine that ancient Roman culture with government-sanctioned executions where their “correctional system,” had become masterful and world-renowned at inflicting the maximum physical suffering that a human being could bear … although some couldn’t bear it and just died before their formal execution. James went easy on us as he described the crown of thorns that the soldiers bashed into Jesus’ skull before even leaving Pilate’s headquarters. He let off the pedal a bit as he described how the whips used in the floggings were laced with metal and bone so that they could tear away the flesh of their victim as he was lashed. He had mercy on us as he explained that after the beatings—if he survived—Jesus had to carry his own cross’ rough-hewn crossbeam on his mangled bloodied back to the outskirts of town. Yes, thank you James for making it hearable.

More than 15 years ago Mel Gibson made his now famous movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” and shocked audiences worldwide with his unapologetic telling of the final hours of Jesus’ life. Despite his extensive research on Roman torture techniques, arguably making his the first historically accurate film of these events, Mr. Gibson was widely criticized for having gone too far and depicting a brutality that even the Scriptures don’t portray. It seems those critics forgot that in addition to jamming thorns into his head, they also pulled out his beard (Isa.50:6). And did those critics just ignore the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 52:14:

Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness …  (NIV)

Jesus was so disfigured from the Roman torturing that an onlooker would have a hard time telling that he was even human. <Whoa!>  Yes, thank you James for going easy on us.

But the Roman soldiers didn’t go easy on Jesus. And neither did God! Let’s remember that it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer … to make his life a guilt offering (Isa.53:10). Why? So that our criminal record before God could be cleared, so that God’s righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us (Rom.8:4).

As you ponder these things today, let’s take our preacher’s final words from Sunday and turn them into a prayer. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus because through Him, instead of giving us what we deserve, you have given us what we need. Constantly remind us that the beauty of Your grace is that it makes life not fair. Thank You for suffering for us so that we can look forward to an eternity with You … a place of love where there will be no suffering. Amen.