(Luke 23:50-56)
Jesus died on a Friday, the day the Jews prepared for the Sabbath. With a short amount of daylight left, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Sanhedrin and who had disagreed with the council's verdict against Jesus, gathered up the courage to ask Pilate if he could have the body of Jesus taken down from the cross. Joseph, unlike the other Sanhedrin, believed Jesus was the Son of God and knew that Jesus was fulfilling Old Testament prophesy. Disagreeing with the other men on the council could risk his social, political and religious reputation, but Joseph stood firm. Joseph was a wealthy man who owned a new tomb and wanted to show the highest honor to Jesus by burying Him there. While Joseph negotiated with Pilate for Jesus's body, Nicodemus the Jewish Pharisee who dissented from the council, sought to honor Jesus, too. It was Nicodemus who met with Jesus and learned from Jesus what it meant to be born again. He too, had everything to lose by trusting Jesus. He bought a hundred pounds of spices and aloes to prepare Jesus' body for burial. Together, Nicodemus and Joseph abandoned their fears and out of deep respect for the Lord, washed Jesus' body and then wrapped him with linen and fine spices and lay Him in the tomb. The Sabbath was approaching. With little time left, women from Galilee arrived at the tomb. Seeing how His body was laid, they returned and prepared spices and ointments for the days to come. The sun rose and now the Sabbath began so they rested and waited.
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(Luke 23:44-49)
The sun's light failed, darkness covered the land. The temple's magnificent curtain; the barrier between God and man, tore from top to bottom. This was the hour He chose to die. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!" And He breathed His last. A centurion's eyes were opened and he began shouting praises to God. He understood the significance of the transaction that had just taken place; "This man was innocent!" We are not. We are sinners deserving God's wrath. Jesus did not deserve this, yet He did this for us. The crowds, who hours before were yelling, "Crucify Him!" became aware and with great remorse, they left for home grieving over what had just happened. (Luke 23:26-43)
Jesus made an impact on many people on the day of His crucifixion. Simon of Cyrene, just coming into town, was chosen to carry His cross. The large group of women, likely hired to weep and mourn, were cautioned by Him to weep for themselves and the days ahead. The religious rulers scoffed at him. Soldiers mocked him. They cast lots for His clothing and the two criminals who were being put to death along side him joined in making fun of Jesus. A sign was hung over His head, "King of the Jews." They taunted Him. "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" And Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." And then one of the two criminals who was about to die realized it was true, Jesus was the King. He was His King. His words are the words of a man truly impacted by Christ, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus said the same thing he says to us when we repent and believe in Him, "Truly, I say to you, (today) you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:13-25) "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty..." Three times Pilate tried to reason with the irate crowd. He could not understand why the Jews would demand Jesus to be crucified when this man had done nothing deserving of death. If Pilate had his way, Jesus would have been a free man. The significance of the Old Testament prophesies, of Jesus foretelling His death, of Jesus praying in the garden and of the symbolic Last Supper would be lost. The sovereignty of God directed every detail leading up to His birth, every detail of His life on this earth, and every detail leading up to His death. Nothing thwarts the plan of God. An unjust punishment was given to an innocent man so that the guilty could be set free. Pilate gave Jesus the chance to be set free by allowing one prisoner to be let go. He gave the crowd the choice between Jesus and Barabbas who was an insurrectionist and a murderer. The crowd grew more urgent and they cried out in one loud voice that Jesus must be crucified. They were right. Barabbas didn't deserve to be set free. In order for us who are all guilty of sin to be set free from God's wrath, which is the punishment we deserve, Jesus had to die for us. "It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!" (Romans 5:7-9) Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. (Mark 14:55-56)
(Luke 23:1-12) After interrogating Jesus, Pilate could find no guilt in Him, but the Jewish leaders were persistent in having Jesus condemned. They said that Jesus was misleading their nation and forbid them to pay tribute to Caesar, which was false. The chief priests and the crowds said, He says that "He Himself is Christ, a king...He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea from Galilee even to this place." Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews. Jesus answered, "You have said so." Pilate gave up. He gladly passed the problem of Jesus on to Herod after finding out Jesus was from Herod's Jurisdiction. Herod was more than pleased to meet Jesus after hearing so much about Him. He was hopeful Jesus would perform some miracle or sign for him. He questioned Jesus for some time, yet Jesus did nothing to amuse him and would not even answer him. The chief priests and scribes stood by all the while accusing Jesus. Disgusted with Jesus and His lack of cooperation, Herod and his soldiers entertained themselves by dressing Jesus up in a royal clothes. He then sent Jesus back to Pilate. Perhaps Pilate was quite amused by Herod's antics because Pilate and Herod who didn't like each other before became friends after this event.
Luke 23:63-65
The men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it who hit you?" And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. These men did not know what a terrible thing they were doing. They made fun of their Maker, the One who came down to save them, the Son of God. Matthew and Mark record how these men who laughed at and punched Jesus were also spitting in his face. Other men came up to him slapping him in his face. Yet, in all this, Jesus did not sin. I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. (Isaiah 53:4) The Jewish religious rulers accused Jesus of blasphemy. How ironic that they actually were the ones who committed blasphemy. They were repulsed that this man claimed to be the Son of God. Their idea of a savior was more in line with a powerful, political head, not this man who caused the Jews to question them. Having Jesus arrested and killed was their way of reclaiming authority over and allegiance of the Jewish people. Luke 22:54-62
"Satan demands to have you that he might sift you like wheat." With a pressing earnestness, Jesus had spoken these words to Peter earlier in the night before Jesus was arrested. Not long before that, Peter had been arguing with the other disciples about who was the greatest of Jesus' followers. Upon the arrest of Jesus, it was Peter who was quick to defend Jesus by drawing his sword. Jesus rebuked him for this. Known for his boldness, his passion and his eagerness to follow the Lord at any cost, Peter could do nothing now as Jesus was being led away. Peter set off to follow the procession from a distance. Just that night, Peter had tried to convince Jesus, "I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." In response, Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me." Peter followed the group to the house of the high priest. In the courtyard, they stopped and gathered around a small fire. Peter, discreetly joined them. Peter's test came when light shone on his face and a servant girl recognized him saying, "This man also was with him." Peter denied it. A little later another saw him and recognized him, "You are one of them." Again, Peter denied he was with Jesus. After an hour had gone by, another insisted, "Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today you will deny me three times." And Peter went out and wept bitterly. How is it that Peter did not have the courage or the strength of faith to overcome the temptation to lie? The Lord was not done with Peter. Maybe the Lord's words, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation," began to mean something more to Peter that night. When Jesus first called Peter, he immediately followed leaving everything he had behind. When Jesus walked on water, it was Peter who stepped out of the boat to join him walking on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus which caused him to sink. Being young in his faith, Peter relied upon himself and his own strength, still having a long way to go in learning how to fully rely upon the Lord. Jesus loved him and was looking out for him through this. "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Jesus would mature Simon Peter to become a great servant of God. Satan was allowed to sift him, so that Jesus could prepare him for the mission ahead. Peter's faith grew and the church grew because he became a foundational rock in sharing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luke 22:47-53
"Rise and pray so you may not enter into temptation." while Jesus spoke these words, a crowd appeared. Jewish religious leaders accompanied by Roman soldiers carrying lanterns and torches and heavily armed with weapons surrounded Jesus and eleven of His disciples. Now was the time to keep alert and pray for God to keep them from temptation. Leading the pack was Judas, the twelfth disciple. Judas approached Jesus and leaned in to kiss His cheek, which was the customary greeting of affection between two close friends in those days. On this occasion, it was instead, a kiss of betrayal. The kiss was Judas and the Jewish leaders' pre-arranged signal to identify Jesus and have Him arrested. Jesus and Judas were face to face. With all-knowing authority Jesus said, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" Jesus knew this was about to happen and long before it happened, He knew Judas was a deceiver. Jesus, obedient to His Father, did not resist His arrest. Remember this: Jesus Christ chose to give Himself up as a sacrifice for us. He never lost His authority as He was taken into Roman custody. One of His disciples, not understanding God's plan, became upset at what was happening to Jesus. Giving in to temptation, he drew out his sword and struck one of the high priest's servants on his ear. Jesus authoritatively said, "No more of this!" They were not to fight their way out of this. He touched the ear of the servant and healed him. 'Jesus turned to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come out against Him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?"' Jesus, knowing what was about to happen, did not resist. These men sought to arrest and kill a sinless man who kept all God's laws perfectly but they had no power to do so until God allowed it to happen. Nothing these men did to Jesus could happen by their own authority. He said to them, "When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." God's sovereign plan was to allow this injustice to happen to Jesus, but only in God's perfect timing so that many people would be saved from the penalty of sin. In the words of Joseph, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant if for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) Luke 22:39-46
"Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Jesus told Peter, James and John as they approached the olive grove where they often met. Jesus told the other disciples to sit and wait. He then separated Himself a short distance from them and knelt down to pray. He knew His time had come. He knew the intense suffering He was about to face. Not only that, but at the height of His suffering, He knew His Father would turn His back on Him. Yes, God being Holy, cannot approve of sin. Jesus, because of His love for the Father, and because of the Father's love for us, would substitute Himself for us. Jesus would face false accusations, hatred from His own people, ridicule, torment, beatings, lashings and a horrific, uncomfortable, painful death. He was willing to take every one of our sins upon Himself in order for justice to be served so that we sinners, could be made the object of God's mercy! Every one of us has sinned. We have lied, cheated, stolen, hated others, disrespected authority, demeaned our bodies, put ourselves before others, and dishonored God in a great multitude of ways. The bible says that in the final days God's wrath will be poured out on those who love their sin so much that they hardened their hearts to Him. Jesus paid the price for God's mercy to be poured out on repentant sinners. With this in mind, Jesus knelt down in the garden and began to pray, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done." God strengthened Jesus at that very moment. Jesus, being in agony, sweat drops of blood yet, God kept Him from temptation. Now ready to face this trial, Jesus returned to His disciples to find them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. He asked them why they were sleeping. Again, because He loved them He said, "Rise and Pray that you may not enter into temptation." We can sympathize with the disciples. With the complications and woes of life, how tempting it is to sleep and to drown out our sorrows into the night! Yet the sun always rises. Jesus, like the sun in all its glory coming over the horizon, will return in the blink of a weary eye. Let us rise up and pray so we are ready for that day! |
AuthorJennifer Szczyrbak is an artist, a daughter, a wife and a mom who is learning, growing and being transformed day by day by the God of the universe who knows her better than she knows herself. Archives
December 2019
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