Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” — John 19:4-5

Pilate shouts from the steps of the praetorium, "Behold the man!"

Envision a man who probably barely appears human. Skin flapping over. Bone exposed. Blood dripped from every corner of his body. Twisted on his head was a crown of thorns. Glued to his wounds was a purple robe. Jesus became an object of ridicule. He could barely walk, much less stand. He was gasping for air, clinging to the last moments of his life.

At this moment, Pilate shouts, "Behold the man!"

"Look at him," he says, "Look!"

Some sights are difficult to look at. They are so repulsive that you want to turn away instinctively. But Pilate commands his accusers to "Look! There is nothing left of this man."

But we know differently. This is not just any man. This is The Man. In this brutally beaten man, we don't merely behold a defeated man. We behold the defeat of sin. We behold a Savior who is saving the world from sin. The sin and suffering inflicted on him is the affliction he suffered for us. His stripes are both the slashes of my sin and the salve of my salvation.

So don't turn away. Look at him today. Take a long look. Look once at his suffering. Look again at his salvation.

ASK THIS:

As you gaze upon the brutalized image of Jesus and consider the weight of our sins that He bore, how does this deepen your understanding of the magnitude of His love and sacrifice for you?

In moments of personal struggle or doubt, how can reflecting on Jesus' suffering as both the "slashes of your sin" and the "salve of your salvation" inspire you to persevere and draw closer to Him?

DO THIS: Look twice at the man, Jesus.

PRAY THIS: Lord, guide my steps today, ensuring they align with Your will and purpose. May I remain steadfast in my faith, seeking Your wisdom and grace in every decision I make. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Behold Him.