After all of this, we see one of the greatest understatements in the history of man: “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him” (John 19:1). Friends, we will never know the pain and agony Jesus underwent as that flagrum was lashed against His back. This cruel instrument had several braided thongs of different lengths. At the end of each thong was either a metal ball or some sharp, jagged object such as a piece of bone. There was no limit to the lashes that could be given. In no way am I promoting the movie The Passion of the Christ, having never seen the whole movie, but I did see the scene where the actor portraying Jesus was scourged. If the scourging of Jesus was anything like what was depicted in that movie, it was horrific. History tells us that scourging was called the “little death” before the “big death” of the cross. Words cannot possibly describe the suffering Jesus underwent during this process.
After this, Jesus was taken and mocked by the soldiers. A thorny crown was placed on the head whose blood vessels had already broken. These thorns were normally and inch long with a needle-sharp point at the end. His clothes, having been placed back on him were then removed and a robe of purple was placed over his raw and bleeding shoulders and back, later to be taken off after the blood had dried to it. Jesus was then commanded to carry His cross to Golgotha. Unable to bear the burden because of the tortures of the night and morning, Jesus fell beneath the great weight. Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry the cross the rest of the way to the place of the skull. Then our Lord was nailed to that cross.
I am well aware of the fact that I have not done justice to the suffering our Lord endured before He was ever nailed to that cross. Words do not do justice in describing the great sacrifice Jesus endured so that we would not have to do so. You see, Jesus died for us, the just for the unjust (Romans 5:6-8). How can we not love the One endured so much just to get to the place where the crucifixion would take place?
Jesus began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.