First, in John 14-17, we find what has come to be known as the "Upper Room Discourse." The final words of Jesus in His final hours teaching and training his disciples. These lessons include:
- The power of the towel, as He washed their feet
- The one who is greatest is the one who serves
- The importance of relationships, love and unity
- We (branches) can do nothing apart from Jesus (the Vine)
- The coming of the Holy Spirit
- His pending sufferings, death and resurrection
After they finished the Last Supper, it was approx 10pm when they left the house located on the SW side of Jerusalem and went across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives, specifically to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus separated Himself to pray. It was in those hours that Jesus agonized to point of sweating droplets of blood, as He said, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou will."
Somewhere around 2am, the soldiers arrived being led by Judas Iscariot. They fell as Jesus spoke the words, "I am He." It is beyond my comprehension "why" they did not leave when they saw the power in this Man. Jesus eventually surrendered Himself willingly into their custody.
Trial 1 - They took Jesus to Annas the first High Priest appointed by the Romans to deal with religious matters among the Jews. They accused Jesus of blasphemy, but Annas sent Him away.
Trial 2 - They took Jesus to Caiaphas (the current High Priest and son-in-law of Annas) and also before the Sanhedrin. There was no legal basis for Jesus' arrest. The protocols of Jewish law permitting trials only during daylight were ignored; the trial started on the day before an annual Sabbath; the judges themselves brought charges; and no witnesses for the defense were permitted. Luke 22:63 tells us that Jesus was mocked and beaten in the presence of this kangaroo court that could not find Him worthy of death.
Trial/Appearance 3 - They took Jesus to Pilate, but he initially refused to hear the religious matter.
Trial 4 - Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who found no fault in Him.
Trial 5 - They took Jesus back to Pilate and changed the charge from blasphemy to treason, forcing the Roman court to hear the case. Luke 23:14-15 tell us that Pilate found no fault in Jesus, neither did Herod, and nothing deserving of death was done by Him. In offering the people a choice, they chose to release the murderer Barabbas, instead of Jesus.
From there, Matthew 27:27-31 records the action of the Praetorium Guard - Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Then came the crucifixion - Luke 23 - As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women... 32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”... 44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
Isaiah reminds us "why" Jesus endured the false accusations, beatings and death -
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
On this day called "Good Friday," will you take time to remember what Jesus Christ suffered on your behalf? Will you remember that while salvation costs you nothing, it cost Jesus Christ everything?! Take time to day to thank God for His love and the sacrifice made so that we could have our sins forgiven and our relationship with Him restored.
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