John 19:1 says, “So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.” Since the Jews preferred Barabbas than Jesus, the examination had concluded. Despite finding “no fault in him at all” (18:38), Pilate had Jesus whipped. This was a Roman form of torture. The whip was made of a short wooden handle with several leather thongs attached. At the end of each thong was a piece of bone or metal. As the thongs repeatedly hit the skin, it would swell until it was torn open exposing muscles and sometimes bones or organs. Prisoners often died from such injuries. This had nothing to do for paying for our sins, which were paid for on the cross. The flogging highlighted man’s inhumanity to man. At his physically weakest moment he still went forward to finish his mission on earth. Let’s live with gratefulness in our hearts today for his sacrificial love for us.