Day 22 :: Mocked
And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They were hitting him on the head with a stick and spitting on him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying him homage.
Mark 15:18-19(16-20)
I love the banter in our church and community. Although it might seem alien to other cultures, for us, mocking each other is a precious way that we can show we love each other and don’t take ourselves too seriously.
That said, banter isn’t always appropriate. There are undoubtedly times when something said to get a laugh can go too far and be deeply hurtful. There are times when mockery can be plain nasty and become bullying. There are other times when sincerity and sensitivity are required, and times when it is right to show reverence and focus.
With the cries of ‘Crucify him!’ still ringing in the air, Jesus was led away to the Roman governor’s HQ. There they gathered a whole battalion of soldiers, about 600 men, which seems a bit ridiculous given that Jesus was posing no real threat to the political or military establishments.
In front of this gathered crowd of troops, some of the soldiers acted out a wee drama for their enjoyment and some laughs. Like playground bullies, these warriors stooped low and made a mockery of the Son of God.
They clothed him in a purple robe, the colour of kings, and they made him a crown out of jaggy branches to go with it. With his costume complete, the drama began as they saluted him:
”Hail, King of the Jews!” (v18)
They pounded his head with sticks, as if the thorns piercing his skin wasn’t enough.
They spat on him, pouring out hatred with each drop of saliva.
They dropped to their knees, as if to worship him.
You can imagine the scene, as these 600 soldiers lapped up the banter of mocking this supposed enemy of Rome. The cries of ‘Crucify him!’ would now have been eclipsed with the laughter of this company of soldiers. I wouldn’t be surprised if this banter was some welcome light relief for these well drilled fighters.
But the exquisite irony of it all was obviously lost on them.
They were mocking the true King of Kings. They assaulted him with the very plants and saliva he had designed. He was and is the only man worthy of true worship.
They rejected Jesus and made fun of him. Jesus is still rejected and mocked today.
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
Many who do not yet know Jesus will write off the cross and resurrection as foolish, or laughable.
The idea that the Bible should influence life or morality today may seem ridiculous.
Missionaries giving up home comforts to take the Gospel to unreached places might seem bonkers.
The Christian life will always seem nuts to the unbelieving world, and will always attract unwanted, even hurtful, banter and mockery. But if our hope is in Jesus, we can be deeply serious about living for him, and less serious about ourselves.
Banter is a good gift to enjoy, but let’s examine ourselves. Are we taking the Christian life seriously or are we flippantly laughing our way through life? Do we show reverence and worship Jesus in the way he deserves?
Let’s pray today that as a church we would model the balance of showing Jesus the utmost reverence and sincerity, but not taking ourselves too seriously.
Passages to read: Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:27-31, Luke 22:63-65, John 19:1-4
A thought to remember: Jesus is worthy of our reverent worship
A question to ask: In what ways can we take Jesus more seriously today?
A song to sing: O Great God