Text: Mark 15: 1-28
Early in the morning the Chief Priests, in consultation with the whole Council, brought Jesus before Pilate (v.1). This time to be tried before the secular political authorities of Rome, represented by Governor Pontius Pilate. He was at that material time in Jerusalem for the Passover; otherwise; his official residence was Caesarea, at the Mediterranean Sea Coast. Pilate found no case against Jesus (v.14) but because he wanted to appease people, he handed Jesus over to them for crucifixion (v. 15). According to Marcus Cicero, a celebrated Roman Statesman, crucifixion was the cruelest and most heinous punishment possible the Romans had properly put into use. It had been invented by Persians. It was later stopped by Constantine in A.D.337.
Before He was crucified, Jesus was given wine mixed with myrrh to drink; but He refused it (v. 23). Myrrh was more of a narcotic; and Jews had a custom giving a pain-killing substance of such, mixed with wine, to the victim in order to reduce his pain. They based it on Prov. 31:6. When Jesus tested it, He realised what it was and He refused it, although He was very thirsty. He refused it because it would dull His senses and kill His consciousness. He wanted to be alert all the time; otherwise, He would not have ministered to one of the thieves who was hanged with Him (v.27) (Luk. 23:43). He was later crucified at 9.00 a.m.
Meditate on verse 23. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Our merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me not to
compromise the eternal value of Your sacrifice for me on the Cross, in my
place, in all situations; whether in joy or in pain; or in mirthful company
or in suffering. Amen.