What will you do?
And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. Matthew:27:31
Everyone in Israel knew who Jesus was. They had heard about His miracles, His powerful teachings, and His acts of compassion. Yet, despite His goodness, many were jealous of Him, especially the religious leaders of the time. They feared that Jesus’ influence would grow, drawing people away from the synagogue and threatening their own positions of power and wealth. Some of them even spent time following His ministry, but only to look for reasons to discredit Him.
In today’s passage, Jesus was handed over to an entire unit of Roman soldiers. They brutally beat Him and mocked Him. These soldiers also knew who Jesus was, at least in name. Some of them had likely seen Him before, and surely some had witnessed His arrest. Yet, none of them truly knew Him or took the time to understand His heart of deep love for people, especially for those who were hurting.
The truth is, this same response to Jesus still happens today. Most people have heard of Jesus. Many recognize His name, know He was a historical figure who was crucified, and understand that He is worshiped by Christians as the Savior of the world. Yet, despite this knowledge, many still mock Him or see no need for Him in their personal lives.
Then there are those who love Him deeply, those who don’t just know about Him but have a real, personal relationship with Him. They spend time with Him daily, not only learning His teachings but allowing His presence to shape their lives. These are the ones who turned to Him in their darkest moments, found hope, and chose to walk with Him daily, away from destruction. They worship and honor Him, knowing He paid the ultimate price for sin, bridging the gap between us and our Heavenly Father. They rely on Him for strength and wisdom, using their own experiences to help others in their struggles.
What About You?
What are you doing with Jesus? Are you like the mockers of His day that acknowledge His works but reject His sacrifice? Do you believe you have no need for Him in your life? Or are you one that has chosen to walk with Him day by day fulfilling your purpose of bringing others to be rescued by Him? The choice is yours and it cannot be ignored forever. Ultimately, you will make a decision for all eternity to accept the Savior who paid the penalty for you or to pay the penalty for yourself.
Today, I encourage you to consider the kind of relationship you have with Him. Is He truly your Lord and Savior? Is He the closest friend who walks with you every day? Or is He just someone you’ve heard of but never personally encountered?
Decide today to invite Jesus into your life. Not just as a historical figure, but as the One who rescues you from darkness. Walk in the light of His love. Step away from the voices that dismiss Him and instead step into His open arms.
Start the conversation today by praying a sincere prayer from your heart, and don’t let it stop there. Keep that conversation going every day until you finish your course in this life.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be the Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading; Matthew 27:27-44
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30 Then they spat on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:
“They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
The Daily Dose 