Station 6, Day 2

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

            Upon completion of the flogging, Jesus is bloody, swollen, and probably beaten beyond recognition. His humiliation at the hands of the Romans is actually ratcheted up another notch by dressing him as a mock king. They make and place a crown of thorns on his head. If Jesus was capable of feeling more physical pain at this point, he would have cringed at the thorns being pressed into his skull. They put a purple robe – the color of royalty – over his shredded skin and paraded him around for the people to gaze upon their “King.”

            “Some King!” the people likely thought, as they gazed upon this barely living image of shredded human flesh. If he were truly the Son of God, and if he truly had the power to save others, why would he not save himself? Was he unable, or simply unwilling?

Spiritual Discipline

            Meditate for 10 minutes on Jesus, with his purple robe and crown of thorns. Imagine yourself in the scene, with soldiers dragging Jesus around, mocking him before the crowds. What do you see? What do you hear? How does it make you feel to be a part of the crowd?

Prayer

            Lord of unspeakable suffering, I am a witness to your unjust torture, and I weep for your pain. I walk beside you, today, as I remember your suffering. Amen.

This is the 24^thin 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.