So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:24-31
This passage from Matthew seems ill-placed on a beautiful summers' day. The morning broke crisp and cool, the light dancing through all the green leaves. We want to turn away from the torture, pain and suffering that Jesus endured for who he was. Right now, in our country people are being mocked and tortured for who they are. Across the world, folks are suffering unimaginable pain for just being who they are and where they were born. This passage is here to remind us to look and see what is happening around us, look and see Jesus in those being tortured. The living God who came to dwell with us, dwells with us still in the suffering and deep pain in this world.
Loving Creator, you breathe life into every one of us
and call us home when our short time here is complete
walking with us as we journey through this lifetime.
We think we rule these days and try to control others
we torture and mock those who we assume are different
and imprison the aliens who come here to have life.
Lord Jesus, help us to see the pain and suffering here
help us to act and care for those who are being mocked
and live a life of sacrifice for the sake of your divine love. Amen.
