Lead-Tipped Whip

There are times the publisher of a dictionary will include a picture alongside the definition for added clarity. Sometimes pictures make all the difference in understanding. Consider describing the color yellow to someone. I’ll bet that no one except a contributor to American Heritage Dictionary describes the color yellow as “one of the psychological primary hues, evoked in the normal observer by radiant energy of wavelength approximately 580 nanometers.” Rather, you would point to a ripe lemon, and say with confidence, “That’s yellow!”

Here is another picture:
Then Pilot had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across his face. (John 19:1-3)

This verse has nothing to do with the color yellow or ripe lemons, and everything to do with being a picture to bring deeper understanding to a certain word, and more specifically a certain behavior I once proudly wielded with considerable skill.

The following is a synopsis of an on-going dialogue I have had with God.

Dave: After dealing with my cynical nature, You promised to address my sarcasm, but aren’t they the same thing?

God: No, they’re not the same thing. The two are often mistaken for each other, but cynicism is different from sarcasm. Sarcastic behavior and talk is what cynics use in an attempt to protect themselves. Remember that you developed a cynical nature in order to insulate yourself from being hurt by people you didn’t trust. Cynicism was the by-product of your intent to not to get hurt. Sarcasm was the means by which you attempted to avoid being hurt. Think about it; what did you do when your self-constructed safe zone was in danger of being violated?
Dave: I would send a warning shot across the proverbial bow. I would say something pretty snotty – something sarcastic to repel the attack – real or perceived. I let everyone know that I possessed a sharp tongue and I was very skilled at using it.


God: In other words, you would launch a pre-emptive strike with sarcasm before being hurt.

Dave: I did.

God: See, you used sarcasm to protect your cynical nature. You also used the laughter you received from your sardonic “wit” as a means to salve your wounded pride. There were times you used sarcasm in the form of satire, calling out an injustice, thinking you were doing something noble. So now I am giving you the picture of Jesus being flogged to draw your attention to the deeper meaning of the word sarcasm. The root meaning of sarcasm is found in the Greek word sarkasmos. It means, “To tear flesh.” Cynics view sarcasm as a necessary, witty, and noble tool. I see it as a vicious weapon designed for maximum carnage with little effort.

Dave: I didn’t want to see that it was as bad as that. I was really only interested in protecting myself. Pretty selfish, huh?

God: Right, and another thing. I want you to continue picturing, in your minds eye, the scene of Jesus being flogged. Now, take your gaze off of Christ and look in the eyes of those in the crowd. Look into the eyes of those who are laughing, and those who are recoiling in horror. Look into the eyes of those beating Him. I want you to see the damage being done to all of them - the very souls of the by-standers and perpetrators of such violence. You really need to see that sarcasm, just like a lead-tipped whip that tears flesh, is an indiscriminate violator. No one escapes being ripped, torn, and damaged in some fashion, and it is a patently false notion that a cynic is protected by sarcastic talk or behavior. Its nature is to tear. Ironically, the cynic winds up wounded also.

Dave: There is nothing good about it, is there?

God: There is absolutely nothing good about it; and just like cynicism, sarcasm has no place in the Kingdom. Oh and by the way, since you brought up the topic, have you noticed that since I have begun healing you from cynicism and teaching you to trust Me more, the sarcasm and its damage are being healed also?

Dave: I have. Thank You!

Friends, after this very difficult and deeply personal lesson, I can now point at a lead-tipped whip and confidently say, “That’s sarcasm! And it does not belong on the lips of God’s children.” I hope you can confidently say that too.

Grace to You.

Dave Paukner