“The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ 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.”
- Mark 15:16-18 -

In this mockery of Jesus, the soldiers put a purple robe on him and a crown of thorns on him and called out, 'Hail, king of the Jews!' Then they repeatedly struck him on his head with a staff and spit on him. However, Isaiah 53:3 shows us that it was the the sufferings of the Messiah: He was despised and rejected. He suffered in our place to redeem us from sins. We know who Jesus truly is. He is the Messiah to come and He is the King of Glory. Philippians 2:9-11 say, "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." As Jesus suffered to fulfill the will of God, we too suffer in the course of following Jesus, yet we fulfill God's will upon us. As Jesus won the victory, we also participate in Jesus' victory and glory as God's children. 'Father's Cup' (Jesus' Cross) leads us into the deeper grace and victory in our life.

"Father's cup, Father's cup, to experience the suffering of the Lord Father's cup, Father's cup, to experience the victory of the resurrection.

Father's cup, Father's cup, Recovering the image of the Lord. Father's cup, Father's cup, It brings the life of the Lord into life."

(Refrain of the song, 'Father's Cup').

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, on this Passion Week, we deeply appreciate all the mockery, suffering and crucifixion for our redemption. We make up our mind to follow you faithfully.