Devotional: Behold the Man

Scripture:

“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.”

— John 19:5–6 (KJV)

Poem: Behold the Man

A hush upon the courtyard fell,

The sky grew dim, the silence tense,

As Pilate led the Christ outside—

A King draped in a mock pretense.

A crown of thorns upon His brow,

A robe of purple, torn and worn,

Yet in His eyes, a deeper fire—

A love unmoved by hate or scorn.

"Behold the Man!" the ruler spoke,

As if the truth broke through his lips,

A sinless soul, a silent Lamb,

Whose hands would bear the judgment’s grip.

But voices rose like bitter winds,

From hearts grown cold with prideful rage,

“Crucify!” the cry became,

Their fury trembling on the page.

And still He stood—so marred, so still—

The blood upon His holy face,

The very breath of God in flesh,

Despised, yet full of truth and grace.

No fault, the ruler could declare,

Yet justice bowed to worldly fear.

And Love, condemned by human hands,

Walked on, to make salvation near.

Devotional Reflection:

In this moment, time stood still.

Jesus—beaten, mocked, crowned with thorns, and robed in purple—was presented before the crowd by Pilate. And with solemn irony, Pilate proclaimed, “Behold the Man.”

He didn’t fully know what he was saying. But we do.

We see not just a man, but the Man—the Savior, the Lamb of God, the Word made flesh.

He wore thorns that we might wear righteousness.

He stood silent so we might speak boldly before God.

He endured rejection so we could be eternally accepted.

The crowd saw weakness. But we, through eyes of faith, see power wrapped in humility.

We see the cost of grace. We see love unrelenting. Let your heart behold Him today. Not in haste, but with reverence. Let His suffering quiet your spirit and stir your soul.

Reflection Questions:

What emotions rise in you when you behold Christ in this scene?

How does His silent submission speak to your heart today?

In what areas of your life are you being called to mirror His humility and strength?

Prayer:

Jesus, Today I behold You—not only as the Man of Sorrows, but as the risen King.

You took the thorns, the robe, the ridicule—all for love. I am undone by the depth of Your mercy. Help me to never lose sight of Your cross.

Let my life echo Your grace.

Amen.