Let me start off by saying thank you to all the veterans today!
As I read the text the Lord took me to today and it being Veteran's Day, I thought about the ridicule many of our veterans have suffered in the past. Men and Women who have been willing to fight for freedom having to come home and be harassed and called names that were absolutely not true simply because people disagreed with their nation and leadership. These Veterans have obeyed orders and put themselves in harm's way only to come home on many occasions to people who mock and ridicule them. So today let's make sure to say thank you to all our veterans.
As bad as they have been ridiculed and humiliated, there is one who took on an undeserved humiliation that tops all others.
John 19:2-5 NASB1995 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and *said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate *said to them, “Behold, the Man!”
This Man gave up more than any man in all of history. He fasted from heaven for 33 years. Humbling Himself, He who was God did not regard equality with God the Father a thing to be grasped. Instead He emptied Himself taking on the form of a bond slave. This Man who is the Son of God, is also the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, and Almighty God. He willing sacrificed it all on the altar of a wooden cross and laid it down in a borrowed grave. He then on the third day picked it all up and arose as the victor over death. The Man who did all of this was scourged and mocked. Our text says they placed a purple (royal) robe on Him and shoved a crown of thorns on His head and acted like He was a king. They didn't understand that He is. They didn't realize that He always has been. They wouldn't comprehend that He always will be THE KING! Then Pilate the Governor brought Him out to the crowd marred beyond any man and said these words, "Behold the Man!" Yes he had it right because Jesus was 100% man. Oh, but he had it so wrong! Because in order to be saved He needed to confess with his mouth and believe in his heart that he was BEHOLDING GOD! How many people today are mocking and ridiculing Jesus by not giving Him the Glory He deserves? How many are mocking and ridiculing Jesus by not recognizing Him for who He is? I hate that our veterans have had to suffer ridicule at the hands of a unthankful people. However, today we have a day to recognize their sacrifice.
Now that we realize the suffering that Jesus takes by the mocking of unrecognition let's take the rest of our life to honor Him for who He is.
He is Lord and Savior.
Don't mock! Worship!
Love Bro. Scott