Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"Pilate went out again and said to them, 'See, I am
bringing Him out to you that you may know that I
find no guilt in Him.' So Jesus came out, wearing
the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said
to them, 'Behold the man!'" (John 19:4-5).

Read John 19:1-16.

Pilate has one last, desperate trick up his sleeve.
It's a long shot, but it's his last chance to set Jesus
free. He orders our Lord to be flogged. Many died
from such a cruel scourging; others died later from
the complications of those severe injuries. Pilate
thought the scourging might just satisfy the blood
lust of the Jewish authorities.

As Pilate had Jesus brought forward it was a pitiful
sight to behold. Jesus had been beaten severely.
A crown of bloody thorns was on His head and a
blood-soaked, purple robe was draped around His
shoulders. Clearly, the Jewish authorities could
not consider Him a threat now.

But once they had gotten a taste of Jesus' blood,
the authorities had only one thing to say, "Crucify
Him, Crucify Him!"

Tonight we gather in church to celebrate the Lord's
Supper and receive His true body and blood. We
remember Pilate pointing and saying, "Behold the
man!" We remember John the Baptist pointing and
saying, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world." We remember this body was
beaten and nailed to the cross for us. This blood
was shed by the scourge and nails for us. And
because Jesus offered His body and poured out His
blood in our place-as our Substitute-we are forgiven
and free.

"Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You freely offered Your body and blood
for our salvation. Move me to receive it in gratitude
and joy, and to serve You throughout my days. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer