A certain husband I knew many years ago was a wife abuser.

He used both words and his fists. But what was most degrading in her mind was when he would spit in her face.

The deranged man thought himself a Christian and when he mocked his wife in that manner he said he wanted her to know how Jesus felt when those who mocked him spit in His face.

I found it a very difficult thing to speak in a civil manner to the man but I sought to control my speech by thinking that he must be insane to treat his wife in that fashion.

People who have been humiliated in this dreadful manner all seem to agree that it is the most shameful thing they have ever endured.

It is difficult to even think of how people have been mocked, shamed, degraded and abused in different ways.

Robert Burns (1759-1796), a great Scottish poet, wrote in his poem, Man was made to mourn, the following couplet:

Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn.

In my work I seek to comfort many people who have suffered abuse of various kinds at the hands of those who should have loved and protected them—and even laid down their lives for them.

If you have suffered in such a manner, may I urge you to look at another Who suffered humiliation too awful for words?

He was mocked in disgusting ways and beaten so viciously by Roman soldiers that He ceased to look human (Isaiah 52:14).

Such was His beating that his weakened body was unable to carry His cross to the place of execution (Mark 15:21).

Will you come to this Man and tell Him about your sorrows?

He understands what you will say because He has experienced the same (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).  He invites those who suffer to come and find rest in Him.

Hear our Lord's gracious words spoken for you today:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)