Read: Mark 15:16-32
When people mock or isolate you for your faith in Christ, it can be very hurtful. If you are the only one in your family, workplace, or community to accept Christ, many people would threaten, mock or persecute you. Be not alarmed. Jesus was insulted and rejected by His own people. During His years of ministry, Jesus performed miracles, healed and brought the dead to life. But the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked Him. “He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself!” (Mark 15:31). He was mocked several times by several people (Jewish people, Jewish religious leaders, Roman soldiers) during His trial and crucifixion. During Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, He was spat upon, flogged mercilessly, His tunic was torn, He was paraded with thorns on His head and crucified naked on the cross. Christ bore all that mockery and shame for our sins. He bore the pains, the humiliation, and the isolation for us.
Though Jesus was mocked, His true identity was revealed as a King. They put Him in a purple robe with a crown of thorns on His head and put a sign on the cross saying “The King of the Jews.” The prophecy was fulfilled that He was the Promised Messiah who would die for the sins of mankind. The spitting and striking blows proved that Isa. 50:6 spoke the truth about the servant of the Lord: “I offered My back to those who beat Me… I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting.”
Pointing to Jesus, the Bible says, “He is despised and rejected by men, … And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isa. 53:3). What was the purpose in His suffering? Heb. 2:10 says, “It was fitting for Him, … in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory. If Jesus endured mockery, He will give us the strength to bear the mockery and insults that others hurl at us. “By His stripes, we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Jesus will heal all your wounds. He will help you to face rejections boldly. Let us go to His throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
