As I write this, Ave Maria is playing over Pandora, and I can't help but know that the Lord willed it so. When I hear this song, I am aware of the amazing events of history that started in a manger and will continue on into eternity from that point to this, on this Sabbath day before Jesus' Resurrection and on into eternity.
Today in Mark I read how Jesus was betrayed and taken to the religious leaders first. After the mock trial he went through, the religious "guards" took him out and beat him. Then he was taken to Pilate who tried his best to release Jesus. We know the story. He failed, ordered Jesus to be crucified after being flogged.
In the custody of the Roman soldiers now, Jesus was subjected to the abuse of the soldiers. It was here that they threw a purple robe on him, and twisted the crown of thorns on his head.
"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!' Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him…." (Mark 15:16-20)
The thought struck me that Jesus must have been a very strong man. First the guards who belonged to the temple beat him (Mark 14:65), and then the Roman soldiers had fun with him. The Bible says "…they struck him on the head with a staff…" I am sure, knowing how bullies act, that they probably concentrated on the area of his head where the thorns rested. We all know they would not have gently hit him, but with all the force they could; but you notice Jesus never lost consciousness.
I thank the Lord it didn't end there. Tomorrow is coming.
Two thousand years ago
You hung upon that tree
Broken, bleeding, bruised and torn
You died for rebellious me.
I'll never be able to comprehend
What you did that day
But thank you that it wasn't the end
And today I am forgiven and free.