Meditating on the words and acts of Jesus on Good Friday!
Friday
Judas [with a plastic, insincere warmth]: “Greetings, Honorable Teacher!”
Jesus [with a sad but determined calmness]: “Friend, do what you came to do.”
Peter: [Frantic and aggressive, Peter, hacks off the ear of the High Priest’s servant...disappointed, he was aiming for the neck]
Jesus: “Put your sword away, Peter. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send more than [12,000] angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” [Jesus knows the salvation of human beings requires His death].
The Disciples: [Panicking, they all leave him and flee]
Jesus now walks the loneliness road
in the history of Heaven and Earth.
In custody, Jesus is marched through a series of hearings. This is the fruition of a plot by the High Priest, Caiphas to murder Jesus! Jesus’ murder will assure that the High Priest, Sanhedrin, and Pharisees keep political and religious power under Roman Rule.
The Jewish Trials:
Phase 1: Jesus is questioned by Annas (Former High Priest and Caiphas’ Father-in-law) about his disciples and his teachings (John 18:13-14, 19-24).
Phase 2: Jesus stands before Caiphas (The High Priest) and part of the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68). Two witnesses come forward and testify that Jesus threatened to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in 3 days. Jesus prophecies that He will sit in power in Heaven. He is charged with blasphemy and the first shouts of, “He deserves to die!” are repeated by the religious elite.
Peter denies Christ
Phase 3 [perhaps after sunrise]: Jesus stands before the entire Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1). Jesus is handcuffed and sent to Pilate.
Judas hangs himself
The Romans Trial:
Phase 1: Pilate’s concern is that Jesus has claimed to be King of the Jews thus undermining Caesar’s rule of the Middle East. He’s also weary of a Jewish Uprising. Upon further questioning, Pilate determines that Jesus is not guilty. He sends Jesus to Herod (Matthew 27:11-14).
Phase 2: Herod, who had been looking forward to meeting Jesus, questions Jesus at length, wants Jesus to perform a miracle, and returns him to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12).
Phase 3: Jesus appears before Pilate for a second time. Pilate gives the Jewish mob a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabas, a known murderer. The crowd chants for Jesus’ death. Barabas is released. Pilate questions Jesus and delivers him over to be beaten and killed (Matthew 27:15-26).
Jesus hangs on the cross
[from 9am till Noon]
Jesus is dead...in our place!
Sin is paid for!
The Father’s Holiness vindicated!
The Father’s Wrath satisfied!
Death has been dealt a mortal blow!
Satan is defeated!
Forgiveness is offered!
Full access is possible
Resurrection is around the corner!