In the Footsteps of Jesus #19

^{Scripture: Mark 15:12-20}

¹²"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

¹³"Crucify him!" they shouted.

¹⁴"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

¹⁵Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

¹⁶The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" ¹⁹Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

"THE KING’S GAME"

It was all a game! That’s what we found as our group entered the remains of the Roman garrison at the Antonia Fortress. The mocking, the scourging, the purple robe and the crown of thorns were all part of a game that the Romans soldiers played with Jesus. Carved into the floor of the fortress was the crude design that symbolized the “King’s Game.” It was often played with condemned prisoners to add to the humiliation of their last hours.

How ironic that this simple game that created false royalty for the pleasure of cruel soldiers, would be played with the true King of Kings! It added greatly to my understanding of Jesus’ words “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Do you play games with Christ? Do you pretend at your faith? Putting on a false face and playing by His rules only when it suits you? Be warned that someday, maybe soon, we will all stand before the Great King and it will be no game. Our eternal destinies will not rely upon the roll of the dice, but upon how we accepted Christ for who he really is. If we stand by Christ Crucified, we shall reign with Christ Glorified.

Question: What are some games people play with God?

Prayer: Father, I don’t want to play games with you. Help me honor the King of Kings today and always. In Jesus name. Amen.