“They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.  After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him” (Matthew 27:30-31).

The wickedness of this world drives humaneness out of us.  Spitting on people, beating them about their head, and mocking them; these are still done by those who are wicked.  But that harshness was inflicted upon Jesus.  The torment of this world was heaped upon God.  “Why doesn’t God do something if He is so good?”  He takes it and, for those who believe, it dies with Him.  He’s done everything needed for our salvation.

Lord, I know that this wickedness has been in me.  I may not have acted it out, but it is still there.  Kill it Lord and take it away.  Lead me upward and out of the pit of this world to be embraced by You, the lover of my soul.  Guide me according to the goodness You have put into creation and, by Your Holy Spirit, lead me in the Truth Incarnate, the One who took my sin upon Himself.

Lord Jesus, beyond the physical suffering which You endured, the beating continues with each generation who continue to mock and hate You.  Lord, despite the pain in this world, help me to love and see the goodness which has come through You.  Lead me according to Your goodness to be more like You with each passing day.  I need Your help and guidance every day  in this muddled world.  Amen.

“Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!”  And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22-23)

What shall we do with Christ?  “Let’s be rid of Him,” the world says.  But just when they think He is buried for good, He rises again.  The church is alive and well in the world even if it is feeble and sick in certain places.  The more the world shouts to be rid of Jesus, the more we ought to wonder why the world is so afraid of the One whom they say there is nothing to be concerned about.  Why indeed.  Behold the Lamb who takes away our sin and pronounces us brothers and sisters.

Lord, take away my sin.  You killed my sin on the cross and washed it away in baptism.  Take away all the rest that goes against what You have created.  Lead me into all truth.  Help me in Your goodness to see that only in You is there hope and a future.  Though the world may fall apart around me, the illusions of this age are only temporary.  You have given me the words of eternal life and there is no other way to go.  Guide me in the word of truth.

Lord Jesus, Truth made flesh, the Lamb who has taken away our sins, aid me in humbleness to not look to the world, but at You as the source of my being.  Guide me into everlasting life.  Lead me through the difficulties that come so that I may walk in the way You have set before me.  Through all things, help me to overcome the obstacles that get in the way.  Show me the way of truth, my Savior.  Amen.