Scripture to Read: Matthew 27:27–32
As we read through Matthew 27:27–32, we must remember that by this time, Jesus had already been severely beaten by the guards (Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63–65; John 18:22). Jesus had taken the worst beating anyone had ever had. His face would have been so swollen from the beatings and so disfigured He would hardly have seemed human. Then Jesus was scourged (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1), an incredibly intense beating before every Roman execution. The scourging came from a whip with nine leather strands (a cat of nine tails). Each leather strip had sharp pieces of bone or metal interwoven into them with a small metal ball hanging at the end of each strip. The nine pieces of leather would be woven into a leather handle. The scourging would rip away the flesh on the back of the victim, sometimes even exposing the victim’s ribs. Before a crucifixion, it was not unusual for a criminal to die from a scourging. After Christ’s scourging, the soldiers stripped Him and mocked Him by putting a crown of thorns on His head and a scarlet robe on Him. Then the soldiers led Him to be crucified. Christ had lost so much blood by this time that He could not carry His cross (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). Remember, our Lord Jesus Christ went through all of this to pay the penalty of our sin and destroy the power of sin and death. Christ’s love for us is truly overwhelming.
Challenge & Application
· How does what you learned today help you understand the full price Christ paid for your sin?
· How are you choosing to live for Christ, pursue Him and His Word, and share Him with others, knowing all He did for you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!