Abused, Mocked, Shamed and Cast Out (Mark 15:17-19)

Have you ever misjudged someone?  You know, you meet somebody for the first time and maybe you get a negative impression and that impressions causes you to treat them in a certain manner.  Then sometime later, you discover something about them that turns you, your attitude and your actions completely around.  We have all been there and guilty of the same.

In fact, you may have experienced this as the victim as well.  Rest assured, you are not alone in this experience.  In fact, the Lord was treated in the same manner.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.  (Mark 15:17-19)

When people fail to recognize your value as a person, they may do the same to you as they did to him.  They may physically harm or abuse you, mock and shame you, and cast you out.

People who are truly loved will be cherished and protected.  People are not loved because they fall short of what people desire or expect and when this occurs, they become objects upon which people take out their anger and bitterness.  Jesus was scourged for the purpose of satisfying the hearts of the people.  The people were glad for this to be done and this gladness was a direct result of how little they valued Jesus.  (Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.)

When people fail to recognize your value as a person, they will mock and degrade you: they may talk as you talk and walk in the same manner as you would walk all to make a mockery of you.  Their words of ridicule, rejection and laughter may tear deeply in your heart, but remember, you are not alone.  In like manner, the people made a mockery and shame of the Lord.

Finally, they may cast you out.  As they cast out Christ and sent him to be crucified, they too will cast you out.  If they only knew how wonderful you really are, they wouldn't treat you this way.  Hurt, anger, bitterness and hatred fill their hearts and control them to act as they do.  Sin took its hold on them and in sin they will act out on others around them.

For some people, they may recognize their error and make a change, but some may never recognize your great value.  God didn't make any mistake when he made you.  Your height, weight, looks, economic status, intellect, physical impairments and whatever else may appear to be holding you back are really your thorn in the flesh that can make you stronger.  You are not alone as you face life and those that treat you wrongfully.  As Jesus faced these treatments from men, he was never alone.  His father was always present with him and he will always be present with you.  His Holy Spirit will comfort you and because of this, he wants you to come boldly to the throne of grace to find his help in times of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Remember, God will always be there for you.  He recognizes your great value because he created you for himself.  He will not reject you: he cannot reject you.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made and what you are is just what he loves.