Disgraced for His Grace - Part I

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | September 30, 2023 | Matthew 27:27-31

KEY VERSE:

They spit on Him and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. Matthew 27:30 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

In today's text, Jesus experiences a great deal of humiliation and mockery. The soldiers went to great lengths to disgrace him for claiming to be the king of the Jews. They acted out a scene of a king and his subjects, with the king in his royal attire and staff in hand, standing before his loyal followers. They seized the staff and struck him on the head, driving the thorns deep into his skull. It's a poignant reminder that Christ, in his humanity, experienced the very pain we endure, openly expressing it amid the weight of humiliation and disgrace.

Imagine how he must have felt and what he must have prayed for on his last night in the garden of Gethsemane. He knew beforehand everything that was going to happen to him. As a human, I can understand why he would have wished for God to find another way to save humanity. All these had to be done so His Grace would be made available to save lost humanity. He had to go through all the disgrace so that His Grace could be made available to reconcile man to God. We have crudely said in our local space, "No pain, no gain." Now we can confidently affirm that "no disgrace, no grace" is the perfect plan of God. Right after the episode of disgrace, they led him away to the next scene to engage in an event which was predestined to make available His Grace -the death on the cross.

FEET AND HAND FOR THE MESSAGE

The disgrace of Christ was necessary to make His Grace available for man’s salvation. Christ bore our shame and disgrace so that we will accept His Grace. This is the message of salvation that he expects us to share with the world. Share it with someone today.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, I accept your grace to live for you. Help me to share this grace with those you bring my way today. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! _________________ DAILY word study: SPIT ON HIM The phrase "spit on him" in this passage is translated from the following Greek words: "ἐμπτύσω" (emptusō) This is the Greek verb for "to spit." It signifies the act of spitting on someone or something.

In this verse, Jesus is in the hands of the Roman soldiers who, in an act of cruelty and mockery, spit on Him and strike Him on the head with a staff. This degrading treatment is part of the overall mistreatment and abuse that Jesus endured during His trial and crucifixion.

The phrase "spit on him" carries profound implications and evokes several reflections:

1. Humiliation and Disgrace: The act of spitting on someone was not only physically degrading but also a symbol of deep contempt and disgrace. It was a way for the soldiers to express their scorn and utter disrespect for Jesus.

2. The suffering of Christ: This act is part of the larger picture of Christ's suffering, emphasizing the physical and emotional pain He endured. The One who came to bring salvation was subjected to the vilest forms of human cruelty.

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The mistreatment of Jesus, including being spit upon, aligns with Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 50:6, which foretold that the Messiah would endure such humiliation. This highlights the fulfilment of God's plan and the redemptive purpose even in the darkest moments.

Reflections: How does the humiliation and mistreatment of Jesus challenge your understanding of His sacrifice and the depth of His love for humanity? In what ways can we respond to such mistreatment with grace and compassion in our own lives?

Today's word study on the phrase "spit on him" invites us to meditate on the depth of Jesus' suffering and the extent of His love for us. It challenges us to respond to mistreatment with the grace and forgiveness modelled by Christ, recognizing that even in moments of profound humiliation, there is a redemptive purpose at work.