Uniquely Human

Uniquely Human
Words of Faith 4-17-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 15
[16] The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. [17] They put a purple robe on him, then twisted a crown of thorns together and set it on him. [18] And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" [19] Again and again, they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. [20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then, they led him out to crucify him.

Have you ever noticed that human beings are unique in their ability to be cruel? While animals are part of the fallen creation, they did not themselves fall. Animals are not capable of sin; they simply follow instinct. Animals may fight over food, a mate, or even herd dominance. Still, they are not fundamentally capable of cruelty. Humans are. Animals do not enjoy the pain of others. Humans sometimes do.
Strangely, when a human acts cruelly, we often call that person an "animal." The animals would be insulted, except that they also have no pride. No, this sin is uniquely human.
The people around Jesus during His last hours were no exception to this. They acted toward Jesus with most of the ugliness that exemplifies our fallen nature. Cruelty for fun. Mocking. Those around Jesus enjoyed "making sport" of another human while causing physical pain and mental anguish, all for entertainment.
They hit, spat, cussed, laughed, jeered, and probably did things that the Gospel writers were too embarrassed to write about. God came to visit humanity for a while, and somehow, humanity put on its worst behavior.
But we would never treat Jesus like that today! Really? Have you looked around lately? Schoolyards and cities are filled with more violence, not less. In many settings, there is more taunting than there is less.
The biggest test of education these days is often surviving the bullying that can take place both in person and online. And unfortunately, our highly sophisticated culture is crueler than ever. Hatred is sometimes more guarded but every bit as dangerous. And what does that have to do with Jesus? Jesus said: "If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." Does that fit here? It is difficult to argue otherwise.

We might argue that there are occasions when people deserve to be mocked. There are political arguments that deserve derision and cultural upheavals that call for the harshest response. Oh, really? Where is that in the Bible? Can't find it? Keep looking.
But what if they are bad people, sinful people, or pagan people? Nope. Jesus said we are to pray even for our enemies and bless those who curse us. And the gift of mockery is not found among the listed gifts of the Spirit.
In fact, Paul noted that "the acts of the sinful nature are obvious" and include "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, and factions…" Paul went on to warn, "Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:19‑23).
No, the reality is that any mockery, racial slur, ethnic epithet, gender insult, cruel stereotype, hateful jibe, slanderous muttering, "sexual orientation insult," or curse that passes our lips does only one thing-- it brings us face to face with the Lord Jesus. We have done it unto the least of these. When we spit hate, no matter at whom, we spit in His face. When we mock, we mock Him. When we laugh, we laugh at Him. When we strike, we strike Him. Not in the sense of assigning some kind of moral equivalence to Jesus-- but in the sense that realizes Jesus identified with the "least of these."
And I suspect His gaze is sad as He looks back at us, bruised by our words and insults as our spittle drips down His beard. Yes, He loves us no matter what, but He is sad because He died to free us from such words and thoughts. He continues to take it on the chin as long as they continue.

Lord, Jesus, forgive me for the insults I have flung into Your face. Forgive me the hurt I have heaped upon You in the name of my self-righteousness. Set me free from words that hurt. Manifest in me the fruit of Your Spirit. In Your name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.