‘God says, “You wonder how long my love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That’s Me you see up there, your Maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding. Covered in spit and sin-soaked. That’s your sin I’m feeling. That’s your death I’m dying. That’s your resurrection I’m living. That’s how much I love you.”‘* Max Lucado
Did Max really say ‘spit’? [re-checking quote] Yeah that’s what he said. ‘Covered in spit and sin-soaked!’
I wonder, if the soldiers had known their degrading act was going to be documented for all humanity to witness, would they have toned it down a notch? Oh, as Max elaborates, no one holds them accountable for crucifying Jesus. It was their job, their duty.
But spitting on a beaten and dying man?
Take a moment and read the account (Matthew 27:26-31). They scourged Jesus and were then ordered to crucify Him. Had they done just this, they could forever claim to have followed their orders. But they did much more than duty required.
They found it necessary to humiliate and degrade their prey before driving home those issued nails. They needed to tear at the soul of an already basted physical body.
I’d love to continue harping on the treacherous deeds of these men, but Max won’t let me. See, he only allowed me to catch a glimpse of the actions of these men long enough to realize I was peering into a mirror.
No, I’m not quite old enough to have been one of the soldiers at the cross. But I’m guilty of just what they did. While I don’t recall ever spitting on another, I can assure you that I’ve gossiped, and slandered, and arrogantly rolled my eyes in an effort to tear down another for the sake of lifting myself up.
And should I look for a loophole with the thought of, “I would never spit on Jesus,” I’m quickly reminded, “In as much as you’ve done it unto one of these, the least of my brethren, you’ve done it unto Me.” Matthew 25
There’s good news though! Guess what there’s no record of in Scripture? There’s no record of the spit being wiped off the face of Jesus. He carried their spit to the cross and was crucified with it dried on His skin.
“The sinless One took on the face of a sinner so that we sinners could take on the face of a saint.”*
*Quotes from He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado, chapter two.
**A note regarding the title: “Does Your Llama Spit,” is the question my wife and I are asked (a thousand times) every time the ‘little people‘ perform at a petting zoo or nativity scene. [talk about really scraping the bottom of the barrel for a title]
ccragamuffin
mtsweat
Thanks you for visiting and reading. God bless.
What a great post! Congrats on your nomination for the Liebster Blog award. I look forward to reading more of posts. Your site is beautiful!
Thank you Mike for this message …when we point our finger critically at others we are pointing 3 fingers back at ourselves, as we judge others according to our own agenda and fleshy understanding, we are seeing our own reflection.
Jesus tells us when you stand up for my Truth you will be hated and rejected, people only accept what they want to hear if you confront them with Truth which challenges and we are all called to share His Truth, they will despise us, if we have 100% acceptance we are not being faithful in sharing God’s Truth. Faith comes by hearing the word, this is God’s Truth not worldly saccharine sweet platitudes given to appease the conscience.
Christian Love Ann
Thanks Anne, so true. God bless and thanks for reading.
I cringe to think of the times that I have spit on my Savior’s face.
My sentiments exactly Jeff. Thanks and God bless.
Great Post! A solid reminder to mind out tongues or spit in this case! 🙂
God Bless You!
Thanks Deidre and blessings to you.
Thanks Michael for the info on the lettering of stalls, in addition to the convicting message. God bless you, brother. Carley
Thanks Carley and God bless you also.
Hello mtsweat, I’m new at this blogging, liked what you said, but what is worse is those who gossip and pull others down behind their back and then smile on Sunday at them, maybe they think Jesus doesn’t see them.
Thanks Hannah
Hi Hannah. Thanks for visiting and welcome to the blogging world. You’re so right. It is especially horrendous to think this behavior goes on between fellow heirs with Christ. May we ever be found a people whose actions demonstrate Jesus to the world. God bless.
I have often wondered if I was alive back then if I would have hurt Jesus too. I would like to think I wouldn’t have, but as you have written: “In as much as you’ve done it unto one of these, the least of my brethren, you’ve done it unto Me.” Matthew 25
Great, thought provoking post Mike.
Thanks Bob, God bless.
Totally unrelated to this wonderful post, but why the alphabet on the wall? Carley
Very observant, Carley. The ‘little people’ were serving at the Callahan Fair, and their residence is what was once livestock stalls. The lettering was to assign stalls for the youth showing their animals. Thanks for reading, God bless.