The Day

While you were sleeping last night, 2000 years ago, Judas led the Pharisees and soldiers to Jesus and He was arrested.  In the skirmish surrounding His arrest, Peter cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, Malchus.  Jesus urged Peter to drop the knife and then healed Malchus' ear.  How amazing is that? He actually healed someone trying to arrest him! 

     During the chaotic nighttime hours, Jesus was bound, beaten, spit on and cursed as he went through several “trials” that the Pharisees arranged in secret. During this scene of confusion, John and Peter were witnessing the travesty of Jesus being falsely accused from the crowd.  Peter was asked three times if he was a follower of Jesus.  Three times he denied he knew our Savior. Just as Jesus predicted the night before.  

     Jesus is interrogated by Caiaphas and the council who pronounces his guilt and sends him to Pontious Pilate, yet he and King Herod found no guilt in him at all.  Pilate wanted nothing to do with the circus that was developing as he was juggling a rowdy crowd, Roman law, Jewish law and Jesus followers.  The last thing he needed was any type of uprising at his outpost.  

     Judas became overwhelmed with guilt and returned the silver to the Pharisees and begged for Jesus' release saying’ “I have sinned betraying innocent blood.” After his futile attempt, he hung himself from a tree in a valley below the city gates.  

     With the crowd growing more unruly and trying to appease them, Pilate decided to have Jesus flogged.  Jesus was then brutally beaten.  His body was scourged to a bloody pulp by the Roman soldiers.  (Imagine the metal spikes being whipped into Jesus’ skin and then tearing his flesh to pieces.)  Amazingly he survived the torture. They then mocked him by forcing a crown of thorns on his head and wrapped him in a tattered purple robe.  (Did you know that crown of thorns is symbolic to the thorns surrounding the lamb that God provided to Abraham as he was about to sacrifice Isaac?)  

     To Pilate’s dismay, the Pharisee controlled crowd weren't satisfied with the beating of Jesus and demanded he be crucified.  Pilat even offered an exchange of Jesus for the imprisoned murdered Barrabas. The crowd voted to bring Barrabas back into society. Can you imagine this? Pilate, in exasperation, symbolically washes his hands and orders Jesus’ crucifixion to satisfy the Jewish demands and quell a possible uprising. 

     At about 8am; Jesus, his body a bloody and beaten mess, began his 1/2-mile journey to Golgotha (Calvary) through the streets of Jerusalem with a 150lb cross on his back.  He fell during his death walk and couldn't continue.  Simon of Cyrene helped him carry the cross the remaining distance.   

     Jesus was then attached to the cross with 7-to-9-inch nails that pierced his hands and feet.  As the soldiers were raising the cross, he begged God, "Please forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.". (Luke 23:24) Think about it... He’s actually PRAYING for the people killing him!?!? Would we ever do that?  

     The six hours of hanging from the cross were excruciating.  Every breath was unbearably painful.  Think of Mary, Jesus' mother, watching what had been done to her son who was given to her directly by God.  And think of her looking at the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothes in front of her.  Jesus assures the criminal hanging on another cross that he will join Him in paradise.  At one point, as He feels the weight of ALL humanity’s past, present and future sins being cast upon him, Jesus screams, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”. (Did you know this quote from King David is the only moment in The Gospels where Jesus refers to our creator as ‘God’, instead of ‘Father’?) At about 3pm, Jesus declares, "It is finished" and breathes His last breath.  At that time the earth shook and the veil in the temple that separated the most "holy place" ripped in two.  (We now have NO more barriers between us and God!) 

     Think about it.... Jesus, a lamb without sin, found innocent by kings, totally unblemished, took on our sin and fulfilled all 613 laws of the Old Covenant.  The New Covenant, through his blood, was now established for us so that we would never be separated from God.  Just like Adam in the beginning of time.  Just like God planned and predicted through prophets for thousands of years.   Jesus (God walking on earth as a man for 33 years) endured the most brutal of deaths on this very day, some 2000 years ago so that all who believe in Him will live with Him forever.  God’s law was carried out perfectly and justice prevailed, FOR US...... How amazing is that?   Love and blood did this.  One time, FOREVER, for those who believe.  The debt was fully paid.   The sentence was fully served and the battle against Satan was convincingly won!  ..... What's even more amazing is what will happen Sunday . . .

 Please share this with your loved one’s today, Good Friday.