Day 15: With Jesus as He Is Beaten and Mocked
Take a moment to quiet yourself: close your eyes and take some deep breaths.
Pray this prayer or something similar in your own words: Jesus, help me draw close to you by seeing my suffering in yours and your suffering in mine.
Jesus is handed over to the soldiers in the fortress in Jerusalem. At least 120, and perhaps as many as 600 soldiers surround him. As was common, they play a cruel game with the condemned prisoner, mocking and shaming him while also causing physical harm.
Read the passage slowly, using your imagination to place yourself in the scene.
Prayerfully read the passage a second time. What image or images does God press upon your heart? Stay with Jesus for a moment as he experiences this suffering.
As you close this time of prayer, talk with Jesus about what this passage has brought up for you.
Today's scene includes difficult images of violence. If imagining it brings up painful memories, it's okay to pause, read more slowly, or simply sit with Jesus without picturing every detail. You can also reach out to a 7 Cups listener for support.
Reflection Questions
Personal reflection:
What might it have been like for Jesus to be surrounded by hundreds of mocking soldiers, not only beaten but humiliated and dressed up for the amusement of others?
Community discussion:
Has your own suffering involved physical pain, humiliation, or mistreatment by others? How might your experiences help you understand Jesus' suffering more deeply?