Mark 15:16-32

Be Still: As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. (from Lectio 365)

Read: Mark 15:16-32

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews! (vv.16-18)

Encounter: We draw near to the climax of Mark’s Gospel – that hinge-point of history, the unique Passover of 33AD that we still celebrate every Easter. Mark gives us snapshots of that Friday morning with its ugly details, details which his Roman readers would recognise and perhaps interpret for themselves. We are used to condemned prisoners simply disappearing from view – into the prison system, or (not so long ago) the condemned cell. But for Jesus, the whole guard is called out – really? The whole guard? For one isolated, flogged prisoner? Surely the whole guard is only gathered to celebrate a victorious general, or a new Emperor!

Then Jesus is given a purple robe – the dress of a triumphant military leader leading a victory procession. And a woven crown – like that awarded to the overall winner at the Games. Yes, it was a crown of thorns instead of a wreath of laurel, and the robe was used in mockery, but I wonder if Mark’s readers didn’t think to themselves 'there’s many a true word spoken in jest!'

Then the sad procession – the via dolorosa – to the site of crucifixion. Mark offers us another snapshot – Simon who carried the cross was 'the father of Alexander and Rufus.' Could this be the same Rufus greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans and described as 'chosen in the Lord'? Was his life changed that Friday?

And so, the crucifixion – a rebel’s death, nailed between two acknowledged rebels. But under the notice – in three languages – JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

These ugly details remind us of the earthy reality of the events of that morning. God’s eternal purpose laser-focused on a single place, a single moment in time – but through that moment, for all places and for all time.

Apply: God cares for the details, even the details of our everyday. Spend a little while offering up the minutiae of your life as it unfolds today, and every day.

Devote: Father, I offer you the decisions, however great or small, that I take today and ask that they will be in accordance with your will.