Advanced Placement WTL

What is AP WTL?
AP WTL is a chance for you to go deeper into the topic we discuss each week at WTL.  Throughout the week various devotionals will be published here to help you dig deeper than we did at youth group.  This will allow you to go deeper into God’s Word and the topic and maybe help you think of things that you haven’t thought of before!!!

The Torture and Humiliation of the King

Mark 15: 15-23Mark 15: 15-23
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd. So he set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and nail him to a cross. Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus ¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus inside the courtyard of the fortress t fortress: The place where the Roman governor stayed. It was probably at Herod's palace west of Jerusalem, though it may have been Fortress Antonia, north of the temple, where the Roman troops were stationed. and called together the rest of the troops. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe u purple robe: This was probably a Roman soldier's robe. on him, and on his head they placed a crown that they had made out of thorn branches. ¹⁸ They made fun of Jesus and shouted, “Hey, you king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Then they beat him on the head with a stick. They spit on him and knelt down and pretended to worship him. ²⁰ When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the purple robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross. ²¹ . Simon from Cyrene happened to be coming in from a farm, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross ²² The soldiers took Jesus to Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.” v Place of a Skull: The place was probably given this name because it was near a large rock in the shape of a human skull. ²³ There they gave him some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain, but he refused to drink it.

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After the trials before Pilate and Herod, Jesus was taken away to be beaten, flogged, and humiliated.  This was a HORRIBLE process.  Just reading about it is enough to make one squirm.  If you’ve seen The Passion of the Christ, you’ve probably even looked away during this extremely graphic depiction in the movie.  I have added a link to a website that describes in more detail, including drawings, of the flogging of Jesus.  Reading it made me squirm, so read at your own discretion; what Jesus endured was horrific!

http://the-crucifixion.org/scourging.htm

Questions for Reflection

What do you think was going through Jesus’ mind during His flogging?

Why did Jesus have to endure this horrible punishment even before the crucifixion?

Can you fathom how much Jesus loves you to go through this for YOU?

This punishment was the punishment for our sins.  Do we act grateful to Christ for taking this on for us?

Reflect this week on how great is the love and grace of Jesus to take your place to reconcile you with God.