The opening verses of chapter 19 of John's gospel bring us face to face with the sufferings of our Lord and the shame which was heaped upon Him. We beheld Him scourged, crowned with a cruel crown of thorns, mocked, dishonored, smitten and then made a public spectacle of. This is a deeply affecting scene for the heart of every child of God. As we read it and meditate on it, our eyes fill with tears and our innermost soul is moved. We praise Him that suffered thus in our stead.
According to Josephus and other sources, Rome tormented malefactors in every possible way before they were put to death. In many cases the scourging was with a cruel, knotted whip in which sharp pieces were exposed inflicting wounds that could lead to their death. Rough, half-barbarians soldiers were His tormentors. As they hated the Jews, they were only too willing to treat Him with the utmost cruelty. The place where it was done was the common hall (Matt. 17:27), a filthy guard room. The loving substitute of sinners suffered stripes on our behalf (Isa. 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
After the soldiers had their way tormenting Him, "Pilate therefore went forth again, and said unto them (the Jews), 'Behold I bring Him forth to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him" (John 19:4). Thus He was acquited, but was not discharged before the law. He added that He was innocent because "I find no fault in Him at all" (John 18:38). Pilate did not discharge Him, but continued the trial of Jesus, "that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die" (John 18:32).
The indictment before Pilate was that Christ said He was King. Pilate asked Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33) and received a direct response. From the writings of the prophets, particularly Zechariah 6:12-13, the Jews were aware of His Kingship, but could not bring themselves to acknowledge the fact he was the actual person the prophet was referring to in the prophecy. They chose to reject Jesus because they were jealous of Him, regardless.
The Lord Jesus, after all this, came forth wearing the crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate said to the crowd, "Behold the Man!" (Ecce Homo) (John 19:5). This is the message which would be sounded all over the world. Behold the Man. Behold Him, "the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
Bearing shame and scoffing rude. In our place condemned He stood. Sealed our pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Saviour! ...(Phillip P. Bliss 1839-1876). Behold the Man!
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