A Picture of Hate and Indifference
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 04/02/2023
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Matthew 27:29)
While mowing my yard (lawn if you will), I occasionally get too close to the border of my property which is lined with thickets, briars and thorn bushes (welcome to Tennessee). As you can see from the image displayed, a thorn will pierce my clothing, and at times, my skin. Many thorns are two inches long or longer. Although it is quite painful, I am always reminded of what our Lord Jesus endured while on the cross and before while He was being ridiculed and tortured. “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:” (Isaiah 52:14). He was beaten to a pulp. One might ask, “How could anyone do that to another person?” Well, it happened, and it is documented in the most accurate historical book in the world, the Holy Bible.
The Jewish Leaders “whipped up” a revolt (riot) to have Jesus Christ put to death out of jealousy for the most part. They literally hated our Savior. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Jesus knew that those who hated Him were not of His sheep. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus knew all who were His sheep, and He knew this before the world began.
But what about Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers? Did they hate Jesus? Basically, because of their positions, they were indifferent. Pilate found no fault in Jesus, but he carried out the extremely diabolical execution to please the Jewish leaders. The soldiers were just doing their jobs. They were really indifferent, but because of their cruel and heinous ways, most of them didn’t think twice about it. They had put many to death by crucifixion before. They tortured and mocked the Lord out of sport, out of fun. Cruelty was their trademark. And although the Assyrians came up with crucifixions, the Romans perfected it as a way to die a most cruel, humiliating, and painful death. The crown of thorns was just a small part of the resurrection story. Most of us do not even want to think about the thorns being driven into our precious Savior’s head.
Remember that word indifferent? The definition of indifferent is :having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned. Have you met any one who is indifferent to situations where compassion is needed? Do you know anyone who is indifferent to events in other’s lives? Have you ever found yourself to be indifferent in a situation? You may not hate that person but perhaps, you don’t care much for them for one reason or another?
Friends, I am speaking to you as Believers in Christ. Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior (John 1:12). How many have simply “wagged your heads” at another who is in deep trouble? I am speaking about a lost individual who is going to perish without Christ. Jesus said “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt 7:20). If you saw your neighbor’s house burning, wouldn’t you rush to them to get them out of the house and out of danger? Of course you would. We were not created to hate or even to be indifferent. Jesus showed us what love is all about. He showed us by willingly going to the cross for our sins. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev 1:5b). And He commands us to love one another. "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
We don’t have much time I feel. “the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2b). We have to tell them, and tell them often (Mark 16:15). None of us are promised tomorrow (Heb 9:27). Remember, we all have an appointment.
Keep telling ‘em about our Jesus.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,
and thy house”
(Acts 16:31).
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD