Good Friday is widely recognized as the day Jesus died. Many of you know the story. We have some good narrative to cover today, so please take your time and reflect on it.
Early in the AM: Jesus is taken to the Sanhedrin for trial. It is a well-known and documented fact that they wanted him dead, but the tricky part of the situation is that Jerusalem was under Roman authority… and by Roman law no one could be executed outside the jurisdiction of the Roman government. They charged Jesus with blasphemy yet sent him to the Roman authorities under the trespass of trying to overthrow Roman rule. The charges didn’t exactly match up.
Pilate - Herod - Pilate: They took him to Pilate early in the morning as soon as they could. Pilate had already been in tension with the higher ups in the Roman Empire and if an uprising would have started on his watch… well, he would have been relieved of his position. So he sends Jesus, or pawns the situation off, to Herod (the governor if you will) in hopes that he will not be liable. Herod, who could see a job opportunity opening up shared the same disdain for the situation and makes a political move of his own and sends Jesus back. At this, Pilate’s hand is forced when the crowd threatens to riot.
The Crowd (part A): Do you ever wonder where these people came from this early in the morning. How did they know where to go? How did they turn on Jesus from Sunday to Friday? Quick thought: Where would you find a crowd like this to convene so quickly? Possible Answer: There are a lot of people who serve at the temple. A lot of people depend on the pay from the temple to put food on the table. If your leaders request your presence (rather strongly), do you think it would be possible to get a crowd like this? Possibly. Jesus is sentenced to die at the hand of the Romans. Religious crimes. Governmental execution.
The Most Overlooked Verse in the Bible: Where are the Hosanna people from Sunday? I think you will find this interesting. The most overlooked verse in the Bible… Luke 23:27, “A large number of people followed him (The Crowd: Part B), including women who mourned and wailed for him.“ They were there! This following… these people shouting to Jesus on Sunday, “SAVE US!” And now they are wailing as their hopes quickly fade with every step that comes closer to Golgotha. I wonder if they knew about the trial taking place in the Roman courts just hours before.
Seven Sayings From the Cross:
- Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
- And Jesus said unto him, Truly I say to you, Today you will be with me in paradise.
- Woman, behold your son! Then he said to the disciple,
Behold your mother! - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Quoting Psalm 22. If you don’t do anything else today, read it… it is eerie.)
- After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst.
- When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
- And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Earthquake. Temple Curtain torn in two from top-to-bottom.
Quick Burial: Because it is almost the Sabbath when Jesus dies, he has to have a quick burial before sundown. This explains the reason the women and disciples went to the tomb on Sunday morning first thing. He was not given the proper treatment that any person would receive on Friday. No ritual washing. No Jewish Tachrichim (custom of death wrapping). All that put on hold for the Sabbath. Interesting, isn’t it?
Note: If the story ended here, Jesus would simply be a martyr.
