This Sunday we will celebrate that victorious day when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem during Passover week. The crowds greeted with palm branches and songs of praises.
As the week wore on, Jesus packed the days with teaching moments and opportunities for healing, but the forces of evil lurked through the talk of the synagogue leaders. Their resistance reached a peak in the early hours of Friday morning when they sent their Temple guard soldiers to the garden where Judas led them.
He was arrested. The disciples fled for their lives.
They took Jesus back to the city for what would be several trials. First to Annas, the previous high priest, then to Caiaphas the present high priest. After these mock trials, the Jewish leaders
. . . spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:67
They marched him on to another trial with Pilate, then Herod, and back to Pilate (as we studied last week.) In the process, the soldiers mocked him when they put a purple robe around his shoulders. They pierced his head with a crown of thorns, hit him on the head and slapped his face.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. John 19:1
I remember, all too well, going to see the movie “The Passion of the Christ” directed by Mel Gibson. After the flogging and all other abuses, I felt drained. I felt suffocated by the blood and pain and agony.
When the soldiers whipped him each time he fell on the way to the cross, I thought I could bear it no more. I remember thinking, “If he can just get to the cross, it will soon be over.” But of course, the cross brought on even more anguish. What wretchedness is the sin of man.
At one point, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34 I believe that was at the point when Jesus felt the full weight of the sin of the world. He carried it for you and for me.
By the end, he was able to say, “It is finished.” John 19:30 He had finished the task and was ready to be received into the Father’s arms.
“Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit.” Luke 23:46
Throughout the year and especially as we move toward the celebration of Easter, we must remember anew the price he paid for us during that long Friday.
Whatever suffering you are going through today, know that he understands your pain, rejection, ridicule, or heartache. When it came to not liking life’s circumstances, He learned to say,
“Father, not my will, but your will.” Luke 22:42
In the next few days, let’s ponder these things. It will make his glorious resurrection all the sweeter.
~ Joyce ~