John 19

"Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe" (v5). This deliberate mocking of Jesus' claims proved again that His kingdom wasn't earthly. Revelation tells us that Jesus will come again with dramatic power, but His first coming was in vulnerable, fragile, human flesh. He could have crushed His enemies the night He was betrayed, but He did not. He offered Himself willingly, knowing that His sacrifice would defeat death and hell better than any display of strength.

"The fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil 3:10) is an integral part of a relationship with Jesus.