Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Mark 15:23

"And they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh,
but He did not take it." (Mark 15:23)

Reflection:

The Roman execution procession finally reaches
Golgotha- the Place of the Skull. In preparation
for the crucifixion the soldiers offer the prisoners
wine mixed with myrrh. A Medieval Jewish
scholar named Maimonides explains,

"When one is led out to execution, he is given a
goblet of wine containing a grain of frankincense,
in order to benumb his senses, for it is written,
'Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
and wine unto the bitter in soul."
(Talmud, Sanhedrin 43a)

"The beverage was a mixture of myrrh and wine,
given 'so that the delinquent might lose clear
consciousness through the ensuing intoxication.'"
(Talmud, Sanhedrin 13)

The myrrh contains two compounds which
reduce a person's sensitivity to pain. Of course
the soldiers aren't doing this because they feel
sorry for the criminals- they never offered the
myrrh before scourging a criminal. They do this
to make their job easier- it's difficult to crucify
unwilling victims- especially if you have to nail
them to their crosses.

According to Matthew, Jesus first tastes the wine
then refuses to drink it because of the myrrh. Why?
He is taking our place in hell, suffering the torment
which for us would be eternal, unending. If He is to
satisfy God's justice He must receive God's full wrath
with no anesthetic, no pain killers.

It shows Jesus' remarkable love and strength that
He voluntarily stretches out His hands and receives
the nails without struggling or protesting. Jesus lays
down His life of His own accord, and no one takes it
from Him. (John 10:18)

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You took the full brunt of God's wrath at
my sins without accepting anything to blunt the pain.
Thank You for suffering all I deserve so I never will.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries Lenten Devotional)