Jesus Christ, the Suffering Man

Friday, April 11, 2025

Theme: "Jesus Christ, the Suffering Man."

Text: Matthew 27:26-31

26. Then Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after scourging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 27. The governor's soldiers led Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28. They stripped him of his garments and covered him with a scarlet robe. 29. They twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30. They spat on him, took the reed, and struck him on the head. 31. After mocking Him, they took off His cloak, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

Let us remember:

Jesus Christ is the suffering man because He endured every kind of suffering and humiliation. He saw how a murderer was set free at His expense. He was beaten with rods as if to inflict intense pain before the crucifixion. Everything was done to increase His suffering. Even by taking Him to the praetorium, among other things, they wanted to intensify His suffering by stressing Him out of all proportion. The soldiers gathered around Jesus to frighten and intimidate Him. Then they removed His clothes to add to His physical suffering emotional, mental, and even psychological suffering. There comes an age when remaining naked in front of people who are laughing at you is unbearable; it is very humiliating and painful. Especially when one is innocent and incapable of saying a word, it is an enormous suffering. Jesus is also called the Lord of hosts; but He allows Himself to be mistreated by soldiers, just out of obligation of reserve because His mission was not to retaliate but to arrive at the cross in obedience. They braided a crown of thorns, which they placed on His head, and they put a reed in His right hand; then, kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews! The crown of thorns wounded His head and blood spurted out. This is again the object of serious suffering that is spread out over time. Far from being a short sequence, it is several hours of suffering in a row. They spat on Him, took the reed, and struck His head. Again and again the suffering inflicted on the savior of humanity who paid the price for our happiness. After mocking him, they led him away to be crucified. Have a wonderful Friday and a good start to the weekend. Amen.

Alain Louz.-