As we draw near to Easter week, our minds move to the events happening in those last days before the crucifixion.
My husband and I watched all of season 4 of “The Chosen” at the movie theater these past weeks. I was struck by the the reactions of the disciples as Jesus began preparing them for the roller coaster experience ahead.
Jesus had plainly told the disciples the plan; “We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles (Romans), who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later, he will rise.”
The disciples experienced Jesus’ power in the raising of Lazarus from his four-day tomb experience. They rejoiced with Jesus when he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem with much pomp and circumstance from the singing, palm-waving crowd. His talk of spitting, flogging, and killing seemed only a fairy tale.
But by the wee hours of Thursday night, they were roused from their sleep in the garden of Gethsemane. Judas planted his betrayal kiss on Jesus cheek, the Temple guard soldiers arrested Jesus with the full approval of the religious leaders, and they whisked him back to Jerusalem.
Crawling out of their hiding places in the olive trees and bushes, the disciples kept a distance between themselves and the crowd of Jesus’ escorts. Apparently all the disciples except Peter and John returned to the upper room for refuge. Peter eventually returned, broken, to confess the denial Jesus had predicted.
Meanwhile, the religious leaders, mocked him, spit on him and slapped him. Matthew 27:67 (In my Bible, I wrote, “A very sad verse”) Later, with the help of Pilate, Jesus indeed was flogged and killed in Roman fashion on a cruel cross. It seems that only John witnessed the reality of Jesus’ prediction of the cross. Imagine the scene and overflow of emotions as John related what happened—the heartbreak of Mary’s tears, the scary darkness at noon, and the hours of agony as Jesus hung on the cross.
With heavy hearts and aching souls they endured all of Saturday. How could they go on without their Master? What were they to do with their lives now?
When the women rushed in the third morning, declaring Jesus had risen, the men couldn’t, no, wouldn’t believe them. Remember, Jesus had told them, “. . . will flog him and kill him. Three days later, he will rise.” But even when Jesus entered the room with them that Sunday night, they still didn’t get it and were frightened. His first words were, “Peace be with you.” His resurrection would bring peace to their souls.
It was the second Sunday, when Thomas was now in the room, that those wonderful words of peace were spoken again. Doubting Thomas realized indeed this was Jesus. They all found exuberant joy as Thomas knelt before Jesus and proclaimed our own Easter praise—”My Lord, and my God!”
~ Joyce ~
PS – If you are a subscriber, I’m sorry that the last few blogs didn’t come your way. (Computer glitch.) I wanted to be sure you received this one before Easter.
Thank you for these well written insights.
Thank you, Jack for reading. It’s so encouraging to hear from readers. Blessings on your Resurrection worship.
Joyce, thank you for this beautiful, awe inspiring blog – it was received.
I do notice I haven’t seen any of your posts in some time. I hope I can retrieve them. You are a blessing, wishing you a happy Easter as we await the day of our arising King! Hugs,
Sharon Shapanus
Thank you for reading, Sharon. The last few blogs came through on the website, but not to the subscribers. Blessings to you on this Easter weekend.
Thank you, Joyce, for telling this account so vividly. George and I are reading the last week of Christ in all four Gospels this week at four sittings, and it is so meaningful and amazing to realize once again that the Savior “shed His own blood for my soul.”
Thank you, Carolyn. WHat a wonderful way to prepare for Easter as you take in the fuller story by reading all four Gospels.
Thank you for your words on the description of this event. Brings it to life for me.
“Brings it to life for me.” Those words are always music to my ears. Thanks, Jeanette.
Got this one!
Thanks for reading!