BETRAYAL ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
They came out to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane like he was a robber, led by Judas his betrayer who betrayed him with a kiss. Jesus, showing no animosity to Judas called him friend.
In chains they brought Jesus before the high priest where he was mocked, struck and spat upon. The chief priests and elders condemned Jesus to death. Meanwhile in the high priest’s court yard Peter denied he knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed.
Peter repented and wept bitterly.
REFLECTION
How often do I betray Jesus and turn my back on him?
Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter or like Judas stay away and separate myself from Jesus?
The Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate the Roman Governor, because under Roman law the Jews had no right to carry out the death penalty. Pilate found no guilt in Jesus and tried to trade Jesus for a horrific revolutionary and murderer, Barabbas, but incited by the chief priests, the crowd cried out for Barabbas.
Pilate feared the crowds, so he had Jesus scourged. Once more, Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
BEHOLD THE MAN!
JOHN 19:1-6
The chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood….”They cried out “let his blood be on us and our children”!
THE CRUCIFIXION
Jesus is led out to be crucified, carrying the crossbeam of the cross himself. Because of the severe scourging at the pillar, Jesus soon falters and the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to assist in carrying the cross.. .
At the place of the skulls, Golgotha, the soldiers nailed his hands to the cross beam, attached the cross beam to the vertical beam already in place then nailed his precious feet. The soldiers then cast lots for His discarded garments.
REFLECTION
What a difference a few days make. Today Jesus’ precious feet are nailed to a cross. A few days ago in Bethany in the home of Lazarus, they were anointed by Mary and embraced with love and kisses.
Do I embrace my Savior or nail him to the cross again?
Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31.
Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?
Jesus looked on His mother and the disciple He loved and said, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25
From the cross Jesus gives us one of our greatest gifts, His Mother Mary. Mary is the finest intercessor with her Son, Jesus. Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son.!
Do I ask Mary to intercede?
Bowing His head Jesus expired. “it is finished, and giving a loud cry, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.” When the centurion who stood facing him saw how Jesus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39.
“They will look upon whom they have pierced…when I am lifted up,
I will draw all things to me…who ever looks upon me and believes will be saved”
John 12:32
The pagan centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!” What prompts me to recognize God in my life? Do we ever bear witness to these God events to others?
The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn from top to bottom in two. No longer is God separated from his people by some veil, Jesus is the New Temple. Jesus is available now to everyone who seeks Him.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
BURIAL OF JESUS
Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Having brought a linen cloth, Joseph took Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.
CONCLUSION
The burial of Jesus is not the end of the story. Jesus descended to the abode of the dead to announce the good news…that soon those in Sheol will join Him in the exodus to eternal life…neither the tomb nor death will hold Jesus… Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!