In the Majesty of the Name of the Lord - Part 1373

Interestingly, Pilate and Herod were made friends together (even when before they were at enmity between themselves) on the day that Jesus was brought to trial. But these two were not the only ones found to have a commonality. 

Certainly, His accusers who cried out all at once, saying, "Away with this [man] and release unto us Barabbas (who for a certain sedition [insurrection] made in the city, and for murder was cast into prison). (Luke 23:18-19) 

And, also, those who smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him did as well. In this latter group, the mocking went so far as to bow their knees to worship Him. 

"And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing [their] knees worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him." (Mark 15:19-20)

"And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him." (Luke 22:63)

"And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head." (Matthew 27:30) 

"And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate." (Luke 23:11)

As we know, these soldiers were not really worshiping Jesus in their hearts, but rather, mocking His Kingship -- the superscription that was written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, "This is the King of the Jews." (Luke 23:38)

While Christ took on the vilest of deaths, taking upon Himself our sin -- the sins of men -- He submitted himself to a cursed death. Cursed because even Jewish law dictates that a "body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God gives thee for an inheritance." (Deuteronomy 21:23)

In shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus took on the shame and contempt that belonged to us. He bore our sorrows, our iniquities, our transgressions. When they placed on His head a crown of thorns, they derided Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God." (Luke 23:35)

You see, the Jews were already expecting the prophesied Christ. These already knew from the prophets and old covenant writings afore that the King of the Jews would come. Indeed, old testament scripture tells us that the Lord would come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) 

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15)

"Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." (Micah 5:1)

"He gives His cheek to him that smites Him: he is filled full with reproach." (Lamentations 3:30) 

"I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

"As many were astonished at Thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men ..." (Isaiah 52:14)

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

All of these scriptures confirmed again in the new testament, because as we know, God is not the Author of confusion. 

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) 

"God manifest in the flesh." (I Timothy 3:16)

You see, what His very own chosen people did not expect is the King of glory becoming as one of them, taking on a sin-prone flesh (and yet without sin) -- made flesh and dwelling among us -- the fullness of the Godhead bodily coming personally to redeem us from our sin. Instead, they expected the King of kings to come in glory, filling the heavens and earth with His presence. (And He will -- this is known as the second coming of the Lord, and then comes the judgment, but I digress.)

What caught my attention today is that even the mockers were able to bow their knees to worship Jesus. Of course, we know that these were not worshiping Jesus (as those would who love Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength [and understanding]). (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:28) But it reminds me of those who say that Jesus speaks to them and yet they have not kept His commandments, and neither have they taken on His name. (Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:1-4)

Rather, their hearts recoiled at Jesus. These wanted Him dead. Perhaps, this explains why Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, "Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains. "Fall on us; and to the hills, cover us." For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:28-31; Hosea 10:8; Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 9:6; Jeremiah 25:29; Matthew 24:19)

Yes, there will come a day when every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11) 

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

And, in that day, there will be no mocking. 

Why? Because we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords. That He paid the ultimate price of death on a cross so that we who believe in Him by faith, and are water baptized in His precious name -- the name of Jesus -- could wear a crown of glory. His garment of righteousness. 

Yes, He purchased our sins with His own blood on the cross. He paid the ultimate price. His name is Jesus and He alone shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

God manifest in the flesh.

Stand in the offering plate.