Friday

i have to admit. i didn't want to do this today...knowing what it was going to say. that Jesus would give His life for us. but, we have the hope that Sunday is coming...

Today Jesus lays down His life for His friends.

We finished the Passover Seder last night by singing a hymn and then walking over to the Mount of Olives for more discussion and prayer. This continued throughout the night. Jesus spent much time in prayer for His coming suffering, interrupted by the arrival of Judas and the Roman soldiers. They arrested Him and took Him away for a series of six early morning (6-8 am) interrogations:

From the garden through the arrest through the six interrogations that morning one thing is clear: Jesus is totally committed to complete the mission which He has been given by the Father - to lay down His life.

In the garden he said "not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

At the betrayal and arrest he said "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)

During the six interrogations Jesus spoke the truth plainly, knowing exactly where this was leading:
1. The former High Priest Annas questioned Jesus about His teaching. Jesus replied "I have spoken openly to the world...I always taught in synagogues or at the temple...I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." (John 18:20-21)
2. The current High Priest Caiaphas accused Jesus of blasphemy. "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus." (Mark 14:61-62)
3. The Sanhedrin, ruling council of Jewish Elders, arrived at a verdict of guilty of blasphemy. They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:70)
4. The Roman governor Pilate found no fault in His straight forward answers. Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied." (Luke 23:3)
5. Herod ridiculed Jesus, but Jesus had little to say. "He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer." (Luke 23:9)
6. Pilate, in a second session of questioning, tried to tell Jesus that Jesus' fate was in his hands. After being rebuffed, he decided to hand Jesus over to be crucified. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would ahve no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (John 19:10-11)

After submitting to flogging and beating by Roman soldiers, Jesus submitted to crucifixion between two common thieves. About noon Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) and the supernatural signs which followed (sky darkening, earthquakes, etc) terrified everyone at the scene. It was during this time Jesus' mission - to take upon Himself God's judgment for the sins of the entire world - was being accomplished! At the end of this time Jesus gave a one word shout of victory - FINISHED! (John 19:30) and voluntarily committed His Spirit into the Father's hands. Mission complete!

Listen to the testimony of scripture rgarding the significance of His mission:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." (1 Peter 2:24)

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

While there is much debate these days about who really crucified Jesus, scripture makes the answer clear - it wasn't the Romans, it wasn't the Jews, it wasn't Pilate or Herod or Caiaphas - it was God Himself. It was God's plan to make a way for the likes of me and you to come into relationship with Him. Thanks be to God for His incomparable gift!

A wealthy PHarisee and member of the Sanhedrin secured permission to take Jesus' body down from the cross. He wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in his own tomb. A the end of the day Friday Jesus' body is in the tomb. But remember, Sunday is coming!