Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Van Sprague

The LORD was angry with Miriam and Aaron because they had spoken against His servant, Moses (Numbers 12:1-9). As a punishment and sign He struck Miriam with leprosy (10). When Moses asked God to heal her, the LORD answered, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and afterward she may be received again” (14, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).

When a brother would not perform his duty for his deceased brother’s wife, his sister-in-law, it was the OT law that “… his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.” Such shame would follow him that his name would “be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed” (Deuteronomy 25:9-10).

Being spat upon is degrading and shameful. It is often met with instant anger and disgust. Yet, our Savior endured it patiently, along with the other humiliations He faced on His way to the cross for our sins (Mark 14:65).

They spat upon my Savior so I can overcome my pride. I can be easily provoked to anger, to “get what is mine,” when I think too highly of myself. If I remember that Jesus could have summoned 12 legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), but He accepted such contempt peacefully, I can curb my irritation.

They spat upon my Savior so I can endure humiliation. I may be mistreated for doing what is right, and that can motivate me to be ashamed of the truth. However, if I find glory in being like Jesus, I can rejoice when I am persecuted (Acts 5:41).

They spat upon my Savior. They spat upon my Savior. Let’s live for Him, knowing He went through everything for us.

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. You would be a welcome guest at any of their services. Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship after, at 10. Worship on Sunday evening is at 5, and Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.