The Stations of the cross. The examination by scourging.

Once control has been handed over by judicial authorities to the mob, bad things happen.

Pilate released Jesus to his soldiers for what the Romans called
"an examination". This took place under the pavement of Gabbatha.

In reality it was an event of terrible brutality where Christ was stripped to the waist, bound to a wooden post and whipped with leather thongs tipped with lead.

God had given both insight and foresight into this torturous moment in the prophecy of Isaiah 52 and 53.

To contemplate this 4th station of the Cross this passage needs to be read.

The profound mystery of it all is summed up in the phrase,

"For it pleased the Lord to bruise Him."

I have stood at this station for many years and still don't know the answer as to why but John 3:16 gives us some special keys.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Jubilate.

Ian