Wine and myrrh

Mark 15:23
And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.

In both Matthew and Mark’s gospels, immediately after arriving at Golgotha (Latin “Calvaria,” “Skull”) they offered Jesus something to drink. Matthew and Mark differ slightly in terms of what was in the wine Jesus was offered with Mark referring to “Myrrh” and Matthew using a more generic term “gall” referring to the bitter taste and noxious nature of the drink.

 
Myrrh has a bitter taste. It is thought to have some analgesic effect and when added to wine, potentiates the effect of the alcohol. And so, some commentators believe that an arrangement had been made that allowed the one crucified to have access to a drink that would provide some mild pain-relief and decreased sensation. Perhaps it was prepared by the pious women of Jerusalem in obedience to the Scripture, “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those whose soul is bitter” (Proverbs 31:6,7). Jesus refused it.

 
For most of us, what Jesus suffered physically is beyond our comprehension and experience.
But there was even more that He endured.

 
Judas was so ashamed of his betrayal that he took his own life. Peter was so ashamed of his denial of Jesus and thankful for the Lord’s forgiveness that he made sure the account of his betrayal and dishonor (of which he was the only witness) found its way into every Gospel. Shame and honor were far more powerful aspects of Jesus’ world (and most of the world today) those of us raised in our nation appreciate.

 
In addition to the agonizing pain, crucifixion inflicted maximum shame and humiliation on its victims who hung naked and tortured before jeering mobs. The horrific practice of lynching in our own history accomplished the same effect.

With the shame and humiliation of His torture, Jesus bore the shame of our sin and the degree to which we have failed and continue to fail to reflect the honor and glory, reputation and character of God. The Lord God described Himself to Moses as “compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

We live in a time characterized by “unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil,” those who are “gossips, slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful…untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.” Not only do we practice these things, but we have chosen as our leaders and “give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:30-32). We have dishonored Him.

 
Jesus likely had a Psalm in mind as He was tortured to death and cried out to His tormentors “I am thirsty” (John 19:28).

 
“Reproach/shame has broken my heart, and I am so sick.
And I hoped for sympathy, but there was none,
And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall (bitter bile) for my food
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:20,21)

Have a thoughtful fifth Sunday in Lent.
Remember.