Lenten Meditation: Day 37

This meditation was part of Grace’s 2025 Lenten Meditations Series, Journey to the Cross (available via podcast). The meditations in this series were written and read by members of the Grace Pres community, and collectively follow the a common structure. You can listen to this episode here (podcast).

Today is the 37th day of Lent. This Holy Week, we are focusing our prayers on the theme of death as we reflect on the final days of Christ’s journey to the cross.

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As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still, and to reorient my heart to the presence of God.

Call to Worship

The Lord calls us to worship today with the words of Hebrews 1, and we join with the ancient praise of all God’s people saying:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

—Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)

Gospel Reading

Today I am reflecting on the words of Mark 15 where, following Pontius Pilate’s decision, the Roman soldiers lead Jesus away to the palace to mock and torture him before his crucifixion.

And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

—Mark 15:16-20

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Confession

Father, we confess we act more like the Roman soldiers than we’d like to admit. We relish feeling powerful; we are opportunistic and greedy; we fear man more than we fear You; and we indulge in earthly distractions and pleasures to escape our pain and guilt. Jesus, we may not mock you outright, but we dress you in imitation royal garments: we honor you with our lips while our hearts are far from you, for our trust lies elsewhere. But you trusted the Father. You submitted humbly when the soldiers led you out like a lamb to slaughter. Rather than scorning us for our sin, you scorned the shame of the cross. More than the King of Jews, you are the King of kings. Holy Spirit, help us apprehend the powerful Word that created and upholds the universe, the wonder of his sacrifice, and the greatness of the Name that is above all names.

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Contemplation

As I try to imagine Jesus’ position—falsely accused, derided, and beaten—I look away in my mind’s eye. The torture of an innocent man is hard to watch. Having experienced ridicule growing up, I have a visceral reaction to mocking. Compounded by the feeling of powerlessness and fueled by the sense of wrongfulness, my anger quickly turns into rage. I have no qualms with exacting vengeance a hundredfold, a thousandfold. In times of great injustice, the idea of God’s wrath feels entirely relatable, even welcome.

In these moments, I am relieved that I don’t have the destructive power of God; and I am glad that Jesus, by whom, through whom, and for whom all things are created, chose to lay down his power. Though he could have called down twelve legions of angels to smite the earth, he chose to bear the humiliation and unjust suffering, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross, a symbol of utmost shame, so that our sins may be forgiven. He bears with our weakness and unbelief with more patience and grace than we can ever imagine. Let us therefore be grateful and rejoice in our Savior. Truly is he gentle and humble in heart, and in Him we can find rest for our souls.

In what ways do you fear man more than you fear God, and how has that played out your life?

How does Christ’s humility in the face of suffering humble or encourage you?

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And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the Lord who loves me says in the book of Colossians:

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him [God was pleased] to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

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Now let us pray as Jesus taught us to pray…

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Today’s meditation was written and read by Xuan Wu, edited by Sharon Kim, produced by Jess Rault, with music by Michael Anderson.