The King of the Jews

Then the soldiers led him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck him on the head with a reed and spat on him, and bowing the knee, they worshiped him, and when they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear his cross. And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated Place of a Skull. Then they gave him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but he did not take it. And when they crucified him they divided his garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. Now it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the inscription of the accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS

With him they also crucified two robbers, one on his right and the other on his left. So the scripture was fulfilled which says, "And he was numbered with the transgressors." And those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others, himself he cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with him reviled him.

- Mark 15:16-32

I've been going through the readings in Mark that we missed in the lectionary cycle. It's my belief that the gospels flow, one passage into the next, in an important sense for narrative and connection and understanding. I'm contemplating deviating from the lectionary and simply taking each passage in order in the future, but I'd like to hear the opinions of my readers on this subject. You may send me an email by the link at the left if you feel strongly one way or another. But today is the final reading in Mark, as the events of the Crucifixion, empty tomb, and Resurrection were part of our reading cycle.

Then the soldiers led him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. After the hearings before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, Jesus is led away to the Praetorium. This is the residence of the Roman governor. Pilate may have resided either in Herod's palace or in the Fortress Antonia near the temple.

And they clothed him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck him on the head with a reed and spat on him, and bowing the knee, they worshiped him, and when they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. The mockery of the prisoner continues here, ironically taking on elements of truth in this upside-down world where Creator is crucified by his creatures. The salute, "Hail, King of the Jews!" is a parody of the salute to Caesar. My study bible notes, "It is astonishing that the King of kings humbly condescends to be shamefully treated as a criminal. One cannot help but grieve for those who abuse Jesus, for most of them also will reject the reality of his Resurrection and his victory over sin and death." Further, it notes that they are "bowing the knee" to him of whom it will be written, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Phil. 2:10). And of course, today we continue to worship Christ 2,000 years later, and Rome is known as a center of this worship.

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear his cross. Compelled signifies the right of soldiers to press civilians into service. Cyrene is a city on the coast of Libya (in North Africa) where many Jews lived. My study bible says, "Simon has the unique privilege of helping the Son of God, weakened by flogging, to carry his Cross to Golgotha." Church tradition says that Alexander and Rufus were missionaries; at any rate, their inclusion in Mark's gospel would seem to indicate that they were of some standing in the early Church.

And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated Place of a Skull. Then they gave him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but he did not take it. And when they crucified him they divided his garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. We recall Jesus' words at the Last Supper, "Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." And he is true to that word. To divide his garments was a right of the squad of executioners. My study bible also notes that this fulfills the prophesy of Psalm 22:18: They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Psalm 22 is the prayer Jesus will say on the cross, that begins, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified him. A note in my study bible reads: "Crucifixion was a horrifying means of Roman execution reserved for rebellious slaves, violent criminals, and those charged with high treason. Roman citizens were spared crucifixion. The third hour is 9:00 A.M. or thereabouts. The Evangelist John reports a time closer to noon (John 19:14)."

And the inscription of the accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. In the Roman custom, the official charge against the prisoner was indicated by inscription on the cross. My study bible notes, "Whereas the Jewish authorities condemn Jesus for blasphemy, in Roman eyes Jesus dies as a potential political agitator. St. Paul writes, 'None of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory' (1 Cor. 2:8)." With him they also crucified two robbers, one on his right and the other on his left. Again, a helpful note: "The ancient Jewish historian Josephus defines robbers (Gr. lestes) as insurrectionists, that is, militant nationalist Jews who fought against Romans and Jewish collaborators." This is not unusual, as in modern revolutions of relatively recent history around the world, similar "robbers" are hailed as the heroes of national revolutions of liberation. What we understand, then, is that these men are similar to Barabbas, who was freed although charged with murder.

So the scripture was fulfilled which says, "And he was numbered with the transgressors." And those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others, himself he cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with him reviled him. My study bible says, "This is the hour of the greatest scandal, a seeming triumph for the chief priests and the scribes, but one short-lived."

So, our picture of humiliation, torture, mocking, and a slow means of execution is all complete. Jesus is not only "numbered among the transgressors;" even the the transgressors, we are told, reviled him. He is the lowest of the low in the upside-down time of Crucifixion, in this hour of evil. I think it's important we understand the meanings connected to notions of truth embedded in this picture. It's not simply the crucifixion of an innocent man, but rather the layers of meanings and insight into this picture go far deeper than a miscarriage of justice - as awful as that is in and of itself whenever it happens. But this particular scene, perhaps enacted regularly on this Place of a Skull, is a time when the entire world, all of creation, is upside-down, and the meanings and values associated with the life-giving properties of salvation and redemption are also turned upside-down. Nothing makes sense. The trial before the Sanhedrin violates its own rules, Pilate gives in to what he knows is a false charge, and the One who will be worshiped around the world is mocked as a king and crucified. What we can understand from this picture is the deception of evil that may be inherent in a seamless picture of expediency, meant to cover up, to get rid of, an urgent problem that reveals the injustice and unrighteousness of those in power. The temple leadership must get rid of him, get him away from the scene - Jesus is too charismatic, he speaks the truth about their methods of getting money and hurting the poor by using the law to violate its spirit. Pilate wants calm, and gives the leadership what it wants as they have nominal power in the province. But beware of a picture that looks like all is finished. Beware of manipulation - without regard to values of truth and spiritual reality - that is designed to hide a problem, rather than to face it and resolve it honestly. Beware of those who will deceive with false appearances, because it just may be that in that hour of evil the world is upside-down, and all are being misled.

Jesus has taught us to "Watch and pray!" We are not to be deceived, but to be aware of those whom he called "wolves in sheep's clothing." As we end with the events of Crucifixion, we recall his parting words to us about the time to come, the period we are in of his Resurrection and the age of "birthpangs" of the kingdom. We are now in the season of Easter, we await Pentecost and the gift of the Spirit. We know of his Resurrection and the life in the tomb. But let us remember this scene, and recall the hour of evil, and remember his words to keep awake. Let us not be fooled by the seamless quality of appearance and manipulation, let us remember that we search for deeper meanings and values, and the truth is found in the depth of the heart and the acceptance of love and its teachings. Take care what you love and what you seek. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What is your treasure? Where is your heart, what does it tell you about this scene? What does it teach you about His words that we are to "Watch!" We live in an age of appearances, where media can be used to present any idea or image. But we worship the Truth; that is, we must seek the reality that is not mere appearance but something that speaks to us of values more deeply, that feed the soul. In this sense, we are to keep alert and watch and not be deceived - and we seek the Spirit to help us to do this in our lives, each day.