The Shadow of Mockery

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And the soldiers led him away...and they called together the whole battalion. They clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. ~Mark 15:16-20 ESV

The Roman Soldier

I was just doing my job. It wasn’t the first time I crucified someone and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Those criminals deserve what they get! “But I’m innocent; I’m innocent, I swear!” If I only had a dollar for every time I heard one of them say that, I’d obviously retire a very wealthy man. But Jesus was different. It was weird. Kind of eerie. He didn’t even try to defend himself. The guy was a wack-job. Off his rocks! “King of the Jews!” That’s what they called him. So we made him a crown of thorns and drove it down onto his royal head as tight as it would go. I spit on him and laughed in his face! He didn’t even try to fight back. What a pathetic piece of...

I don’t know. I have to admit that he was different. He looked straight into my eyes and... those eyes. They say the eyes are the window to your soul. If that’s true, then maybe he really was innocent. I’ve never seen anything as pure as those eyes. Maybe I bought into all the hype that surrounded his arrest without actually considering whether or not the rumors were true. Why do I do the things I do? I bully people. I always have. I make fun of them because... I don’t know. I really don’t know why I do it. I mock them - even my family and friends. I don’t always do it to their face, but I do it. I guess it’s easier to mock others than to let them see me be weak. Or, to let them see who I really am.

Listen to how I’m talking! What has this man done to me? 

Contemplate

Think of a time (recent, if applicable) when your words, body language or thoughts mocked a person. What did you gain? What did they lose? 

Think of a time when you were mocked. What negative thoughts and/or feelings of pain did it evoke?

How would you describe that pain now: an open wound, a scar, or completely healed by Jesus? Why?

Exercise in Prayer

Review your experience of being mocked or mocking others aloud with Jesus. As you recount the story, notice in what ways it has affected and shaped both your personal identity and your identity in Christ. Write your observations in your journal.

Shadow of Denial

“Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me 3 times.” ~Matthew 26:34

Simon Peter - Disciple of Jesus

I thought my heart was sold out for the cause; or rather the man behind the cause. He just showed up one day while I was fishing: “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” he said. From that moment on, I was 100 percent in, or so I thought. I grew to love him more and more each day that I spent with him. I would have done anything for him, but the day he was arrested something changed. Earlier that day, he said I would disown him three times before the rooster crowed that night. I didn’t believe him for a second. It seemed absolutely impossible! But it happened, just the way he said it would. The crowds were so angry, and I was so confused. Something in my heart was holding me back and keeping me from remaining faithful to the best friend I'd ever had. Something dark. Something unchecked. Something unidentified, unnoticed, unhealed. Something was hidden in the shadows, and that “something” almost cost me everything. I couldn't bear for it to ever happen again.

Contemplate

Have you ever denied (or wished you could deny) knowing a friend? Why?

If you don't currently have a relationship with Jesus, why do you think a Christian might deny or try to hide their relationship with Jesus in certain circumstances? Do you think they should?

For those that do have a relationship with Jesus...

How have the pressures of the culture kept you from from being completely forthright about your relationship with Jesus?

Recall a specific time you hid your relationship with Jesus (to one degree or another). What, specifically, were the circumstances?

What are the key factors or temptations that cause you to keep your relationship with Jesus either partially or periodically “undercover?”

Shadow of Reputation

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner...so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping.

Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. ~

Luke 7:36-38

Woman with an Alabaster Jar

I could hardly believe it when heard he was having dinner so nearby. He was traveling from place to place, speaking to the crowds, but I could never get close. There’s no way they would have let me pass through. They mock me for my reputation. They act disgusted by me, but they come knocking in the night to mop up their needs. But I’m not here to tell you about them. It’s him - Jesus - he’s the one I can’t stop talking about.

When I managed to get into the house I just ran to him and fell to the ground at his feet. I couldn’t stop the tears as streamed from my eyes, spilling over my cheeks onto his toes. There was nothing to dry them off, so I picked my hair up out of the dirt and dragged it over the wetness. There are simply no words for the love that radiates from him. It is deeper and wider and warmer than anything I have ever felt or known. Simon, the Pharisee, told him who I was. He didn’t use my name. He just mumbled something under his breath saying, if Jesus were a true prophet, he would know better than to let a “woman like that” touch him.

I didn’t care that he was talking badly about me, but his snarky attempt to discredit Jesus was almost more than I could bear. But Jesus didn’t try to defend himself; instead he defended me. For the first time in my life, someone defended me. “Simon,” he said, “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then he turned to me, looked me right in the eyes, and forgave me. I never knew love could be so powerful and so pure.

Contemplate

Has your reputation ever been damaged due to something you did or were accused of doing?

We all have secrets. If your secrets were all exposed, would there be people who would be shocked by your intentional behavior or mistakes?

Has there ever been someone in your life who has accepted you just the way you are, regardless of your flaws and past mistakes? If so, how did it make you feel? If not, do you wish someone would?

Jesus wants to treat you just like he treated the woman in this story. He already knows all your secrets and he longs to forgive you - completely! You only need to ask.

Prayer

Jesus, come into my heart today and make your home there. Please accept me as I am, but forgive me for the things I've done wrong and give me a second chance. Help me learn how to live in the light of your forgiveness and love.

If you sincerely prayed this prayer and want to talk more about it, please email Pastor Vicki.