The Pavement
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)
I have been there many times. The location is identified by several names: The Praetorium, Ecco Homo, or just The Pavement. The initial time I walked on the first-century stones, where they mocked Jesus, was in the late afternoon. Following the Gulf War, I was in Jerusalem with several pastors who had the privilege of meeting with some Jewish governmental leaders. For me, it was my first time there. When I saw the drawings on the floor, of the game of life they were playing on Jesus, my heart was overpowered.
I could not stand any longer; I had to kneel! Knowing I was in the place, the actual place where they had mocked my Lord, moved me very deeply. We began to sing together the old chorus…
“He is Lord. He is Lord. He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”
I couldn’t help but weep. As a tourist, I could not stand and observe what had happened in that place. I was overcome with emotion. Today, when I read this passage, I go back there in my mind and find myself in that place with the soldiers and Jesus.
He was mocked for us! He was tortured for us! He was humiliated for us! The King of the universe took it all just for us! There are only two kinds of people on this globe today: “lost” and “saved.” To be “lost” means you are in the same league with the soldiers. To be “saved” means you are joined with Christ. Whatever pavement you stand on today, make sure you identify with Christ, and worship Him alone. He is Lord!
I have been there many times. The location is identified by several names: The Praetorium, Ecco Homo, or just The Pavement. The initial time I walked on the first-century stones, where they mocked Jesus, was in the late afternoon. Following the Gulf War, I was in Jerusalem with several pastors who had the privilege of meeting with some Jewish governmental leaders. For me, it was my first time there. When I saw the drawings on the floor, of the game of life they were playing on Jesus, my heart was overpowered.
I could not stand any longer; I had to kneel! Knowing I was in the place, the actual place where they had mocked my Lord, moved me very deeply. We began to sing together the old chorus…
“He is Lord. He is Lord. He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”
I couldn’t help but weep. As a tourist, I could not stand and observe what had happened in that place. I was overcome with emotion. Today, when I read this passage, I go back there in my mind and find myself in that place with the soldiers and Jesus.
He was mocked for us! He was tortured for us! He was humiliated for us! The King of the universe took it all just for us! There are only two kinds of people on this globe today: “lost” and “saved.” To be “lost” means you are in the same league with the soldiers. To be “saved” means you are joined with Christ. Whatever pavement you stand on today, make sure you identify with Christ, and worship Him alone. He is Lord!
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5 Comments
He is my King and Lord, my Savior
Oh how this moved my soul.It was my sin of mockery and spitting and beating yet Jesus forgiveness I will never forget humblely forgiven
I Believe in God, Th Father, God, the Son, and God , The Holy Spirit. The Holy TRINITY Praise God !
Dr. Dodd, thank you so much for your compassion and heart in these devotionals! They really encourage me. Today’s devotion The Pavement has hit home with me! I just want to tell you the I’m thankful for you and I read every one that’s sent! God bless you!
He will forever be Lord of lords and King of kings and I will be forever grateful 🙏