Luke 18:32-33a “He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him.”
This is our leader and our example. Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, the One destined to occupy the throne of David and whose Kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33), God himself through whom all things were made (John 1:3), the Light (John 1:5,9) – this amazing Jesus said of himself and of his destiny on earth something quite unthinkable: He will be handed over to those who hate him so they can mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. But it didn’t end there: “On the third day he will rise again.” (Luke 18:33b).
Father, thank you that your ways are so unlike our ways. You sent your Son to absorb your wrath, to pay the awful penalty for the world’s sin – for my sin. O Jesus, the very hands of those you came to rescue treated you shamefully, tortured you, and murdered you. You endured all of this willingly, leaving your place of highest honor in order to rescue me. Today, may I bring you the honor and glory you deserve and rejoice in your resurrection and your promised return.