The Casual Christian Won't Like This

Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away. [Mark 14.65]

I just want to focus on this simple verse today and what it brings to my mind.

As a man, Jesus certainly had to lay aside any defense in this situation. It rings true at this point that Jesus had already made His resolve in the Garden of Gethsemane what He was going to do in just this situation. I discussed this in my post yesterday.

As God, Jesus demonstrated the patient, purposeful, and long-suffering character of God. Can you imagine spitting on, beating and jeering at God? And, yet that is exactly what the mob did. And God took it. He took it because all that abuse was necessary punishment for sin. In fact, all that abuse was only the beginning - there would be more - there would be a cross. There would be ultimate suffering. And, because of all this, there would be redemption. Jesus knew His physical body, including His mind, will and emotions, would have to experience ultimate suffering and betrayal. But to this end He came from heaven and occupied a human body, aided and empowered only by the Holy Spirit. Had Jesus not relied only upon the Holy Spirit, He would have disqualified Himself as Redeemer. But  by submitting to the Holy Spirit, Jesus approached all the suffering and abuse described here as a pure man. He offered Himself as a sacrifice in the place of all who would ever believe it.

Now, to consider that the Holy Spirit, the same Who empowered Jesus to suffer crucifixion on our behalf, dwells in us is almost overwhelming. And, it should overwhelm us. It should overwhelm our fears. It should overwhelm our senses. The realization that the same Holy Spirit Who empowered Jesus lives in us should make our lives look just like Jesus.

And, you know what? If they spit at Jesus, blindfolded Him and beat Him with their fists, jeering all the while, and slapping Him, we should be prepared for the same treatment. Why? Because that is the way of love - the way of forgiveness. The more we are like Jesus, the more we will be prepared to lay down our lives for our friends.

Sure, our mind, will, and emotions will resist... as did Jesus' mind, will, and emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane. But we must also have our own "Garden of Gethsemane" - our known and regular place of prayer and devotion. It will be there, in that place of prayer, that God prepares us and give us resolve to take up our own crosses and follow Jesus. It will be in that place of regular fellowship with God that we will receive the strength and courage - even the desire - to do unto others as we would have them do unto us - to lay down our lives for the sake of others - to identify with Jesus in every possible way. It will be in the place of prayer that we lay down our own strength and put on the strength of the Holy Spirit. And that is a good thing. Sure, there will be agonizing in that place and time of prayer, but what follows will be "Jesus." And, if He is lifted up... all men will be drawn to God - and that is our Great Commission!

Wow. The casual Christian won't like this...

Father, help me to see my place and time of prayer as preparation to look and act like Jesus.