Today we celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied attack on Normandy that was the beginning of the end of Nazi power over Europe. In their attempt to replace Christianity with the worship of human power, the Nazis had laid waste to an entire continent and killed millions of people. Putting an end to their racist, materialist regime was one of the greatest achievements of human history.

But in today’s passage, we find that their philosophy was really nothing new. The ancient Romans were just as cynical about matters of faith, and just as devoted to the use of military power to maintain their control and to preserve order in the way they wanted it. That’s why the soldiers mocked Jesus the way they did – they couldn’t imagine any sort of a king who refused to lead an army, a king who refused to use brute force to achieve his ends. Clothing a beaten prisoner with imperial purple was the height of comedy for them.

And unfortunately, the worship of human power continues into the modern world. Sure, there are the few skinheads who consciously ape Nazi fashions, but millions more worship at the altar of whatever politician promises to force others to improve their material condition. Although they would never claim to be fascist, like the Ancient Romans and the more recent Nazis, these worshippers of the state reject calls for prayer, placing their faith instead in laws and regulations to compel the world to become a better place. They have no interest in a king on a cross – only rulers who push people around are impressive to them.

But knowing Who Jesus really is, the comedy in this scene is replaced with irony. For the fact is that when they bowed the knee before the Son of God, the Roman soldiers were doing exactly what they should have done, and what all devotees of human power will eventually do. When they hailed Him as King of the Jews, they were acknowledging His true identity as the Messiah sent from God, not only to rule over the people of Israel but over the whole world.

And by their very acts of abuse the soldiers were, however unconsciously, proving His true identity and authority. For in Psalm 69:21, David predicted that He would be given vinegar and gall to drink. In Psalm 22:16, David said Jesus’ hands and feet would be pierced. And in Psalm 22:18 says this: “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

And so we see the true power of the true King. For in spite of their brutality and mockery, His enemies were only able to accomplish His perfect will, working out the plan He had conceived from before the foundation of the world. We would all do well to bow before Him in sincerity, for no human power can possibly stand against Him.

Mark 15:16-24 (KJV)

16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20 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.
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.