When the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross, he was offered wine mingled with gall to humiliate him. They also divided his garments by casting lots. He was mocked as the King of the Jews. Why did Jesus face these atrocities?
Wine mingled with gall
When Jesus was offered wine mingled with gall, he did not drink it when he tasted it, Matthew 27: 34. Wine is sweet but gall is bitter and the two are not complementary. Our lives must compliment heavenly character, pure righteousness. God rejects a lukewarm life, Revelation 3:16. Just as the wine was to mitigate the bitter taste of the gall so does contract with Christ mitigate our sins by his grace.
The mixture given to Jesus meant that in him both the good and evil are made anew. The mixture was irreversible so does God expect that our transformation should be irreversible in Christ Jesus. Let us shed off any character that is not complimentary with Christ Jesus. The mixture was not useful for any purpose. We cease to be relevant to Jesus with mixed attitudes or an unstable heart or mind. When we are with Jesus, no one shall snatch us out of his hand, John 10:28.
When we follow Christ, there will be both times of joy and sorrow. It will not be sweet at all times. We are to count every situation as joy. Just as the sweetness of life tells us that God has answered our prayers, so does the bitterness of life tell us God wants us to dedicate more. Both are answers from God and they all urge us to be better Christians. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose, Romans 8:28.
Dividing Jesus’ garments
They divided his garments among them by casting lots, Matthew 27:35. It was to humiliate him and to obliterate his legacy. To us, it rather signified the sharing of his legacy and identity to unbelievers. He became their pride and remembrance. The woman with the flow of blood who touched Jesus was instantly healed, Luke 8:43-48; Mark 5:25-34. If we touch the garments of Jesus we will be instantly healed and restored. Let us reach out and touch Jesus. We also share the garments of Christ Jesus which is his word of God. He wants us to share it to all nations and to heal the sick and set free the captives, Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Luke 24:47.
We cannot monopolize or sell salvation. It must be shared among us so each would have Jesus in the heart. Christ came to seek and to save the lost, Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15. God’s word is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, Romans 1:16. In Christ there is neither Jew not Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for w are all one in Christ Jesus, Galatians 3:28. There is no distinction between Jew or Greek, Romans 10:12. Jesus is the word and the spirit of salvation. We must touch and share his garments with others.
King of the Jews
Over Jesus’ head was the label which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”, Matthew 27:37. The inscription or label meant Jesus is the King though not of this world. Jesus is the King of every heart and will judge us as his subjects. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, John 5:22–23.
A King rules and seeks the best interest of his people. He is the custodian of their culture and tradition. Our culture and tradition is that of heaven. Matthew 6:10 says thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We are to do the Father’s will on earth. Who is our king and do we obey or please him as it is in heaven? He will be our judge so we should start courting his friendship.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we accept you are the King of our lives. Help us to preserve your garment without destroying it. Let our walk with you be a permanent relationship. In your holy name we pray, Amen!!
