READING: Deuteronomy 2:8-3:29, Mark 15:1-20
I can’t imagine the scene. The soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe, put a crown of thorns on His head, and saluted Him mockingly as the King of the Jews. They hit him on the head with a stick and spit on Him. Then, the inspired Word tells us, “Getting down on their knees, they were paying him homage” (Mark 15:19).
I can see their actions in the mind, and I can hear their taunts in my head. It was right to kneel before a master and honor him, but such was neither their motive nor their purpose. From their knees, they ridiculed Jesus, the Son of God. Their position meant nothing; they may have been kneeling, but nothing in their hearts bowed before God. And, I get a bit frustrated just writing the words that describe what they did.
Then . . . I think about times when I’ve knelt in prayer when my heart wasn’t even leaning toward submission. My position may have looked right, but in reality it was deceptive—perhaps even mocking. Kneeling means nothing when you reign on your own throne.
PRAYER: “God, forgive me. Please change me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 4-5, Mark 15:21-47