Violence and abuse are symptoms of a fallen humanity. We fight for what we want and will often
harm others to show our power over them. A key truth to gospel salvation is that Jesus
submitted himself to sinful abuse as providentially directed by the Father’s grace. This seems to
us illogical. How can divine grace providentially direct violence and abuse for the purposes of
undeserved forgiveness? If we follow the gospel accounts of Jesus’s Great Suffering, we will
see God’s grace poured out upon sinful and guilty humanity through the shift of HIS divine wrath
upon HIS Son.
Whereas sinful men express sin in violence, anger, and abuse; God who is holy has a wrath
against sin that is as personal as his love.
The Jewish trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin ended with abuse:
“Then they [The Sanhedrin] spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him,
saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?’” [Matthew 26:67 –68]
The Roman trial of Jesus before Pilate ended with scourging and mockery:
“Then he [Pilate] released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him
to be crucified.” [Matthew 27:26 ]
The details of Jesus’ abusive suffering in Matthew’s account shows us the Love of God through
the propitiation of Christ’s blood. The Jewish people of God mocked HIM. The Roman gentiles
mocked HIM and violently abused HIM. The body of Christ was beaten and his blood shed as
the sacrifice necessary for God’s grace and favor. Jesus Christ, the Son, abolished God’s wrath
against us and ensured God’s forever after favor. Jesus’s blood ‘propitiated’ God’s wrath and
guaranteed the Father’s favorable outlook over sinful humanity. This happens through the
propitiation by the blood of Christ shed on the cross but also in the bloody mess of his suffering.
Let’s dig into Matthew 27:27 –31 to glean wisdom on how to respond to the public humiliation
and suffering of our Savior.