When it comes to knowing one’s purpose, Jesus knew that He was born to die for the sins of the world and rise from the grave three days later. He knew victory over death was ahead of Him and that He would be restored to His full glory at the right hand of His Heavenly Father. But He also knew that the path to the empty tomb and His exaltation would lead Him through the shame and humiliation of the cross.
Roman soldiers had no affection for the Jewish people, so being given permission to mock and crucify a Jewish man was an opportunity they relished and took a sick pleasure in executing. As such, they intended to fully humiliate Jesus before nailing Him to the cross. Part of the humiliation involved mocking Jesus as a king. This is why they clothed Him in a purple robe or cloth, which was the color of royalty, and made a crown of twisted thorns, which was intended as a mock crown but also to inflect pain when they pressed it down upon His head.
There are too many people who are happy to live on the margins of Christianity, but there are others who want to move closer, who want to take it to the next level in their relationship with Jesus. There are people who are willing to deny themselves, pick up their cross every morning, and follow Jesus. People who are not ashamed to stand up and say, “Yes! I believe Jesus is the Son of God. I believe He was born of the virgin, lived without sin, was crucified, buried, raised from the dead, and ascended to the Father’s right hand where He lives forever as my Savior, my Intercessor, Redeemer, and Lord.
