March 24, 2018
Mark 15:16-24…“And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” vss. 17-18
Bullying has been getting a lot of press lately. People are rightfully beginning to pay attention to the horrible treatment children receive from their peers on a regular basis and many schools have attempted to develop a “no bullying” culture. But it’s hard to overcome! We humans have an amazing propensity for cruelty that is difficult to understand–and it’s not limited to children. We see it full force in the way Jesus was treated by the soldiers. They went out of their way to mock and humiliate their defenseless prisoner, and probably got a kick out of it. It seems that under the right circumstances any one of us will gladly participate in abusive, heartless behavior with no sense of empathy or caring exhibited for the victim. It’s a part of human nature that repels us and there doesn’t even seem to be any kind of evolutionary benefit. Because such sin is rooted deeply, it is doubly important for us to be attentive to its presence. The best antidote is regular and thorough confession, acceptance of forgiveness, and an opening of our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit. Our better nature is not a cesspool but a fountain that overflows with compassion and works of love…and in Christ, that’s who we are!
Thought for the Day: When am I most likely to act like a bully?
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