Mar. 22, 2014

John 19:1

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

This week, Rick and I got the dreaded spring cold. We are both stuffy, achy and blowing our noses constantly. The beginning of the week, my back, neck and shoulders were so stiff. I really wanted to treat myself to a massage but didn’t. Being stiff made me feel rather miserable.

Today, I was with three teenaged Confirmation students. We watched The Passion of the Christ. Personally, I feel the most graphic part of the movie is when Jesus is flogged by the Roman soldiers. Flogged is a fancy word that is the act of methodically beating the human body with special implements such as whips, lashes, rods and the like. It’s as severe form of punishment as I can imagine.

After watching the perceived beating that Jesus took, my stiff back is very minor.  What do I have to complain about? My cold will be gone in a few days. Jesus’ withstood unimaginable beating and whipping. Why? So that I can experience eternal life.

When things are awful for us, we can be melodramatic. We say something is a nightmare or the worst thing ever. But really? Yes, our situations may be difficult and painful. But anything in comparison to Jesus’ flogging? Not a chance.

After seeing this movie again, I will complain much less about the obtrusive things in my life. They really just are not that big of a deal. It’s a matter of perspective.

Lord God, why is it that everything seems much more difficult when we are personally experiencing something? Others may be walking a difficult lot in their lives. But when it affects us, we have a new perspective. Yes, we do have certain challenges and difficulties in our lives. And thank you for walking with us through trying times. Challenge us not to lose perspective. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who might also enjoy it.