Station 6, Day 1

Station 6, Day 1

Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” They kept heaping many other insults on him. Luke 22:63-65

And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. John 19:2-3

Meditation

Pilate hands Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to be mocked, beaten, and scourged. This was all a part of the pre-crucifixion humiliation intended to show what happens to those who dare to challenge the authority of Rome. Jesus is blindfolded and the guards begin the flogging, which consisted of whipping Jesus, probably on the back, with cords containing small stones and bones intended to not only leave bloody stripes on one’s back, but also to rip off pieces of flesh and tissue.

Tradition holds that Jesus received 39 lashes. Forty lashes was believed to be the number that would cause death. This means that Jesus is flogged to the point of still being alive, but just barely. The soldiers hurl various insults at Jesus throughout the flogging process. We wonder if Jesus even heard any of the taunting through the pain.

Spiritual Discipline

Fast for the next 3 days by altering what you eat for lunch. Perhaps eat only an apple, or at least a significantly smaller quantity of food than normal. When you finish lunch and do not feel satiated, remember Jesus being flogged. When hunger pangs return in the afternoon, picture the stripes on Jesus’ back. When you are so hungry you feel you can barely wait until suppertime, remember Jesus, beaten and broken, only able to stand because he is tied to a post.

Prayer

            Lord Jesus, your suffering at the hands of your betrayers is unimaginable. Remind me during my instances of suffering, Lord, that you have been there. Let my suffering be part of my walk with you, an offering to you as a sign of my submission. Amen.

This is the 23^rdin a daily series titled The Stations of the Cross that will run through Easter 2026, at which time I will return to my weekly Life Notes. Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.