Read Matthew 26:62-68; 27:22-37
In his book Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse, Steven Tracy argues that abuse attacks the image of God in a person. It not only damages the body but also wounds the soul. Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse work to break down their victim’s sense of identity and worth.
Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated in Scripture than in the brutal series of attacks that Jesus endured in the hours leading up to His crucifixion. The religious leaders used their spiritual authority to assault His identity. He was on trial for being Himself, the Son of God. Silence infuriated His accusers; His calm restraint incensed them even more.
When verbal abuse failed to break Jesus, the religious leaders resorted to physical abuse. Their fists and saliva sought to destroy His identity; their mockery sought to degrade His worth. Pilate’s reference to Him as the Christ provoked the crowds to a bloodthirsty roar. Their hatred of who He was went beyond disdain or rejection: they wanted Him dead whatever the cost.
But the ultimate attack on the Image of the Living God came at the hands of sadistic Roman soldiers. The Bible is not specific about the details of what they did to Jesus, but soldiers of their day were known for their perverse pleasure in breaking the spirits of their victims. From what Scripture does tell us, we know Jesus endured degradation as they stripped Him naked and poured out their abuse on Him. They mocked the King of the Jews, not realizing they were also defacing the temple of the Holy Spirit.
But despite their best efforts, Jesus’ identity remained intact. The sign above His broken body—though intended to mock Him—told the truth about who He is.
APPLY THE WORD
Our great High Priest experienced the shame of having His body and spirit treated like rubbish. You bear His image, so any abuse of you is ultimately an attack on Him. If you have suffered abuse, take your painful memories and your broken image to Him. Because He is your Helper, you, too, can be delivered from shame.
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