Scripture to Read: Matthew 27:27–32
As we examine Matthew 27:27–32, we have to remember that by this time, Jesus had already been beaten severely by the guards (Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63–65; John 18:22). Jesus would have been bloody and His face so swollen from the beatings He had already taken that He was unrecognizable (Isaiah 52:14, Luke 22:63–65). Jesus was also scourged (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1), which was an incredibly intense beating. Scourging was the normal thing to do before every Roman execution. The scourging was administered through a whip with nine leather strands (called a cat of nine tails). Each leather strip had sharp pieces of bone or metal interwoven into the leather strips with a small metal ball hanging at the end of each strip. The nine pieces of leather would be woven into a leather handle. The scourging would rip away the flesh on the back of the victim, sometimes even exposing the victim’s ribs. It was not unusual for a criminal to die from a scourging, even before crucifixion. After Christ’s scourging, the soldiers stripped Him and mocked Him by putting a crown of thorns on His head and a scarlet robe on Him. The soldiers also beat Him more. Then, the soldiers led Him to be crucified. Christ would have lost so much blood by this time that He would not have been able to carry His cross. Again, our Lord Jesus Christ went through all of this to pay the penalty for our sins. Christ’s love for us is truly overwhelming.
Challenge & Application
What did you learn today about our Lord Jesus Christ’s love for you?
Take some time to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for His incredible sacrifice to pay the full price for your sins!
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!