Mark 15:16  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.

For those who are cheer leaders for Mr. Trump, I hope you heard about his speech yesterday. Just a couple of days ago he boasted of his ability to fix world conflicts. He claims there is none like him. At the end of that speech, he mentioned God. Many people are willing to ignore everything about that man because once in a while he mentions God. Yesterday he reminded us all of who he truly is. He used his common vulgar language to make his comments. He was upset because Israel and Iran broke the “ceasefire” he had brokered. He was particularly upset with Israel for firing back at Iran after they fired at them. Mr. Trump is all about Mr. Trump. He is a super proud man who will face the Lord and shutter in His presence one day.
I believe that God put Mr. Trump in the current position as president of the U.S. God also put Nebuchadnezzar in power in Babylon and then brought him in to severely judge Judah. God can and does use anyone He pleases for His purposes. Mr. Trump needs the prayer of true born again Christians. I do not believe that born again Christians should whitewash sin and blindly support leaders that do not deserve support. Daniel prayed for Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel showed Nebuchadnezzar God’s hand in the affairs of his time and beyond. That was not support for the king. It was showing the king Who is truly in charge. We need to remember that the need of the world is to know Who is in charge. World leaders, and common people need to turn to God in repentance and put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The situation in the Middle East remains fluid, from our perspective. Those who are saved know that Iran is not going away. They have been slowed down for the present. The reason is that God is not willing that any should perish. God wants all to come to repentance. Will all be saved? According to God’s Word the answer is NO. That does not change what God’s will is. God does not force anyone to be saved. A person must come under conviction of sin and turn to God and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. That would even include Mr. Trump.
In our text, which took place some two thousand years before our time, God was working out His will for mankind. The Lord Jesus Christ was heading to the cross according to the will of His Father. He would be crucified exactly according to the will of God. He would provide salvation for all who will be saved. He offered salvation to all, but sadly, many will not accept God’s offer of salvation.
Man needs a Saviour. We can see that clearly in our text. Jesus Christ is that Saviour. He was rejected by His own nation. The Roman government was happy to mock Jesus and to play along with the Jews who had rejected Jesus. None of them realized that they did not defeat God. They did not keep Jesus from being the Saviour of mankind. Jesus Christ is the Only Saviour of mankind. What we are reading in our text was all part of God’s plan. He would use wicked men to accomplish His purposes. He shows us the heart of wicked men.
In our text, the Roman soldiers now took charge of matters for a short time. They chose to dress Jesus in a purple robe and then they platted a crown of thorns on His head. They publicly mocked Him. The Roman soldiers had been well trained to reject the true God. Every person is accountable for the choices he or she makes. The Roman soldiers showed the mob mentality that is so common among us as people. Very few people are willing to go against the common path of man.
We mentioned before:

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Peer pressure is a powerful tool. What all people miss at some point in our lives is that we do not recognize the precious nature of having God as our Friend. Those who come to see God/Jesus Christ as their Friend, are the blessed. If we have God/Jesus Christ as our Friend, we really do not “need” any other friend. It is good to have a spouse that also knows the Lord.
God will hold every person accountable for the choices they make. Every individual will answer personally to God. No one will hide behind the mob mentality.
Yes, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders were a stumblingblock to the Romans. However every Roman soldier that participated in the persecution and murder of the Lord Jesus Christ will be held personally responsible for their actions.
Our text tells us that the Roman soldiers played with Jesus for a time. They whipped and beat Him. When they grew tired of mocking Jesus, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. They failed to see the opportunity they were given to stop and truly worship Jesus Christ. They could have been saved, but they chose to remain in their sin.
God gave these men the opportunity to believe the truth. They chose to reject the truth and God gave them some time to vent their hatred against God the Father and God the Son. God limited their time and efforts. They were not allowed to kill Jesus with their beatings on Him. They led Him out to be crucified. God’s timing was perfect. God demonstrated His mercy toward mankind. He also demonstrated His love and His justice. Sin is wicked. Sin is an affront to a Holy God. The only way to be forgiven and saved is through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. He would willingly lay down His life for the sheep. It is necessary for a person to turn to God in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Without that, there is no salvation. God’s love is for all people. Only those who turn to God for salvation, can be saved. It is important to trust in the true God alone for salvation.
It is important to listen to what God’s Word says and know His peace today. It is also important to follow Him in humility and choose wisely. Choosing wisely may put us at odds with many at times. That should not scare us as long as we are in obedience to the Word and will of God. That is what matters.
Pastor Bartel