Jesus’ Fifth Day
Jesus’ fifth day begins at sundown on the 13th of Nissan, making it the morning of the 14th. This day will conclude with His death. At the time of the Passover sacrifice.
The time has come. Jesus has struggled with His final decision to submit. “Not My will, but Yours be done” He tells the Father.
We are going to back up just a little bit and go with Judas as he betrays Jesus to the religious leaders. We will rejoin Jesus in the garden as Judas gives Him a kiss.
Holy Spirit, lead this journey. Help me stay focused along the way, even with the distractions of today. Show me Your story in detail. Help me be there with Jesus.
♥ ♦ ♥
Judas is both angry and scared as he gets up from the table. “Did Jesus actually identify me as His betrayer? Does He know? Do the others know what I’ve done? What I’m about to do?” These fears run through Judas’ heart as he descends the stairs. He looks back over his shoulder several times to make sure no one is coming after him.
Judas’ feet hit the street without anyone challenging him. He breathes a sigh of relief, for a moment. Then the old anger resurfaces. “Jesus shouldn’t have treated me like that. He doesn’t understand how hard I have been working. Trying everything I can to increase His revenue. It’s like He doesn’t even WANT to succeed! Well, I’m done with it!”
Making his way through shadows, Judas reaches the counsel room. He knocks once and is quickly let inside. Before he can even speak, he is being questioned.
“What did you find out?”
“Are you ready to hand Him over?”
“You didn’t tell anyone you were coming did you?”
“Does He suspect anything?”
Judas holds up his hands. “One question at a time please.”
The members of the Sanhedrin back off a little and wait for Judas to speak.
“Jesus knows something is up. He keeps saying that ‘Someone will betray Him’, but He isn’t doing anything to change His pattern. After dinner, He will take a walk with His followers. They will go to the Garden of Gethsemane. You can take Him there. There won’t be any crowds to get in the way.”
Sly smiles transform the faces of the listeners, and it is an ugly sight. One full of malice.
“We will send soldiers with you to take Him. But you need to make sure to identify Him, so there are no mistakes.”
“Everyone has seen Him in the Temple preaching. Why would you need me to identify Him?”
“It’s protocol. To make certain that an innocent person isn’t taken instead. So, how will you do this?”
Judas thinks for a moment. An evil smile emerges on his face as well. “I will give Him a kill. The one I kiss is the one to take; none other.”
“Agreed!”
The Temple guards are summoned and given the plan. They wait for two hours before setting off, to give Jesus plenty of time to arrive in the garden. They don’t want any witnesses to this arrest. They carry torches, clubs, and any kind of weapon they can lay their hands on. “Better to be prepared” they say.
Judas leads the group through the night to Jesus’ favorite spot. They are NOT silent, even though they are trying to avoid witnesses. Those who hear and see them, hurry for cover, not wanting to be caught up in whatever is going on.
Jesus stands looking in the direction of the approaching torches. Peter, James, and John are on their feet, ready for whatever may come. There is no sign of the rest of Jesus’ disciples.
Judas and his band enter the clearing and Jesus steps in front of His disciples.
“Whom do you seek?” (John 18:4) Jesus asks. There is no fear in His heart. He knows exactly what is coming.
The captain of the guard speaks up. “Jesus of Nazareth” (John 18:5a).
“I am He” (John 18:5b) Jesus announces.
At that moment, the soldiers fall backwards onto the ground, as if an invisible hand has just shoved them down. As they lie stunned on the ground, Jesus asks them again.
“Whom do you seek?” (John 18:7a).
Rising back to their feet, the captain responds; “Jesus of Nazareth” (John 18:7b).
Jesus looks him in the eyes and says; “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go” (John 18:8). Jesus sweeps His arm in the direction of His disciples to indicate they are the ones He is seeking release for.
The guards have no interest in Jesus’ followers. They watch Judas. He steps forward and gives Jesus a kiss on the cheek.
With sorrow, Jesus addresses Judas. “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48).
Judas steps back as the soldiers move in to arrest Jesus. Peter, James, and John finally snap out of their shock. They feel as though they have to protect Jesus.
“Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” (Luke 22:49) John asks.
Peter doesn’t wait for an answer. He draws his sword and slices off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
Before the scream can erupt from the man’s throat, Jesus stops Peter in his tracks. “No more of this!” (Luke 22:51). “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matthew 26:52-54). Then He reaches down, picks up the man’s ear and replaces it on the side of his head; heals him completely.
Jesus looks out at the crowd and shakes His head. “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 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” (Luke 22:52-53).
When the guards move in and seize Jesus, Peter, James, and John all flee. They watch as Jesus is bound and dragged away. Jesus doesn’t resist, but the guards shove Him as they move along, causing Him to stumble at times.
Peter is terrified. He has no idea what they are going to do to Jesus. But he knows that he is helpless to free Him. Worse than that, Jesus STOPPED him from helping! Peter decides to follow from a distance; just in case Jesus needs him to step up.
James has escaped into the night, but John follows the group closely. He is known by several of the soldiers. They have assured him that they only want Jesus. John says nothing as they move back down the road to Jerusalem.
The soldiers take Jesus directly to the high priest’s personal compound. Within its walls lives both Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the current high priest. John walks right on through the gate with the soldiers before it is shut.
The gates slam shut before Peter can make it through. His heart sinks, but he sees John. “John, help me” he calls out.
John calls to the servant girl who is guarding the gate. “I know that man. Please allow him inside.”
The girl shrugs her shoulders and goes to open the door. Peter mouths “Thank you” to John as he slips inside.
When Peter enters through the door, he doesn’t want to get too close. He goes to sit by the fire that is in the courtyard. He sits on the side where he can face ‘the action’ and watch without having to appear to be watching.
John stands in the background, but near Jesus as He is dragged first to Annas.
“So this is the famous ‘Jesus of Nazareth’” sneers Annas. “Not much to look at now, are You” he says into Jesus’ face.
Annas walks a few feet away. When he turns to Jesus he demands; “I hear that You are teaching the people to rebel against the leaders of Israel. You and Your disciples. Is this true? How do You acquit Yourself?”
Jesus calmly answers; “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said” (John 18:20-21).
One of the guards restraining Jesus strikes Him with his hand. “Is that how you answer the high priest?” (John 18:22).
“If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” (John 18:23).
The guard brings his hand back to strike Jesus again. Before he can finish his swing Annas shouts; “Enough! Take Him to Caiaphas.”
Jesus doesn’t resist as He is dragged to Caiaphas’ court. He is shoved roughly all the way, nearly knocking Him to the ground several times, only to be yanked back up again by His arms and bound hands.
Jesus faces Caiaphas with dignity. He doesn’t shrink back or cower in any way. John continues to stand in the back while Peter sits at the fire.
Caiaphas begins to question Jesus. He is harsh and demanding and Jesus doesn’t say a word in His own defense. Caiaphas doesn’t stop. He keeps looking for more ways to condemn Jesus.
Behind Caiaphas stand most of the Sanhedrin. They have gathered ‘witnesses’ to present ‘evidence’ against Jesus. They are brought forth one and two at a time. Their stories never match. Even their ‘charges’ don’t amount to anything.
After hours of searching, they find two that agree on one ‘charge’ against Jesus. “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days’” (Matthew 26:61).
After the second witness presented his ‘evidence’, Caiaphas comes to stand in front of Jesus. “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” (Matthew 26:62).
Jesus says nothing. He seems to look beyond Caiaphas as the spray of his angry words lands on Jesus’ beard. Caiaphas shakes his head and turns to stairs. He walks back up them, where he can look down on Jesus. Once at the top, he turns, facing Jesus squarely. Caiaphas points at Jesus and demands; “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63).
Jesus answers THIS question. It is the heart of the matter. “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).
Caiaphas’ eyes go wide! He had expected more stoicism from Jesus. With this answer, Caiaphas tears his robes in an act of utter distress. “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” (Matthew 26:65-66a).
The Sanhedrin behind Caiaphas all chorus; “He deserves death” (Matthew 26:66b).
All the while during Jesus’ questioning by Annas and Caiaphas, Peter sits warming himself by the fire; being as invisible as possible. After a while, the servant girl who let him in comes to stand beside him. Looking at him closely she says; “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” (Mark 14:67).
Fear grips Peter. Without a second thought, he refutes her claim. “I neither know nor understand what you mean” (Mark 14:68).
Peter leaves the fire, hoping to end the scrutiny. He goes to stand under an archway. He doesn’t take his eyes off the proceedings.
The servant girl isn’t finished. She begins talking with those Peter just left. “I know he is one of them” she insists.
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man that Peter had lopped of the ear, looks closer at Peter. Recognition flashes across his face. “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” (John 18:26).
Peter’s heart clutches. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know the Man.”
The servant goes back to join the others at the fire. For about an hour, they watch Peter and scrutinize him. A group from the fire breaks away and approaches Peter. Their leader stands in Peter’s face.
“Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean” (Mark 14:70).
Peter becomes indignant. How dare they keep questioning him. Peter raises his right hand in an oath and swears; “I do not know this man of whom you speak” (Mark 14:71).
This is the same moment when a slap rings out across the courtyard. One of the guards strikes Jesus in the face. Others begin to spit on Him. “Prophecy!” they demand.
Peter’s words carry across the distance and Jesus turns His head; locking eyes with Peter. In an instant, Jesus’ words from earlier ring through Peter’s heart. “Before the [cock] crows twice, you will deny me three times” (Mark 14:72). Almost as if the thought brought it forth on its own, the crow of the cock sounds. First one blast, then the second; heralding the start of another dawn.
Peter’s heart rips in two. Great heaving sobs erupt from his mouth and he rushes out of the courtyard. He doesn’t stop running until he is completely exhausted. He drops beside the road, crawls under a bush and curls up. He isn’t sure how long he stays like this. His heart continues to pour out of him. “I failed Him!” keeps repeating on an endless loop in his mind.
After Peter fled, Caiaphas calls those of the Sanhedrin to verify their sentence with a vote. Jesus pays them no attention. He silently prays for Peter. That he will find the strength to wait for Him to finish His work.
No time at all passes before all of those of the Sanhedrin who are in attendance to condemn Jesus to death. The whole ordeal lasted through the night. As the first rays of the sun lighten the sky, Jesus’ sentence is set, as far as the Jews are concerned. Now it is off to Pilot to carry it out.
Judas hears of the verdict the Sanhedrin has passed against Jesus. He had no idea that they would stoop so low as to turn Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified. His heart breaks over what he has done. Judas hurries to the priests and tries to undo it all.
Judas takes the forty pieces of silver that he received for betraying Jesus and holds it out towards the priests. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4a).
The priest snorts dismissively. “What is that to us? See to it yourself” (Matthew 27:4b) he says with a sneer before turning his back on Judas.
Judas’ face falls. “They won’t take it back! I can’t undo this” he cries to himself. Judas throws the money on the floor, turns, and runs from the presence of the priests.
Pilot is roused from his sleep by his guard.
“My lord, there is a group of Jews demanding to see you. They have a prisoner that they want to hand over to you for sentence.”
“Bring them to my throne room.”
“They refuse to enter, my lord. They claim they have to remain pure for their Passover celebration.”
“Fine!” says Pilot with a big sigh. He throws his robes on and goes to the portico to meet with the Jews.
Pilot looks at Jesus. “What accusation do you bring against this man?” (John 18:29).
The religious leaders look at Pilot as if he is clueless. “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you” (John 18:30).
“Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law” (John 18:31a) Pilot says while waving his hand dismissively.
“We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king” (Luke 23:2).
Pilate looks at Jesus and asks Him; “Are you the King of the Jews?” (Luke 23:3a).
“You have said so” (Luke 23:3b) Jesus answers.
Pilate shakes his head and says to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man” (Luke 23:4).
“He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place” (Luke 23:5) they insist. “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death” (John 18:31b) Caiaphas says.
Hearing that Jesus is from Galilee, Pilot decides to give Herod this problem to deal with. “Take Him to Herod and let him judge Him.”
While Jesus is on His way to see Herod, Judas has gone to a lonely place. Here he takes a rope and hangs himself. He cannot bear the guilt of what he has done. There is no change for redemption or restoration any longer. Judas has gone down to his grave in shame and regret.
Herod is already up and moving about when the soldiers approach with Jesus.
“A gift from Pilot. Jesus of Nazareth. The ruling council has delivered Him up for judgment.”
Herod is excited to see Jesus. He has been wanting to see Him for some time. He smiles at Jesus as he takes his throne.
“Tell me, Jesus of Nazareth, how do You answer the charges against You?”
Jesus says nothing. He doesn’t even acknowledge Herod’s place as king by bowing down to him.
The religious leaders are not afraid to enter Herod’s palace, as he is a Jew. They stand facing Jesus, throwing out accusations against Him. Still, Jesus says nothing.
The longer Jesus is silent, the angrier Herod becomes. He and his guards start mistreating Jesus and mocking Him. In a final attempt to break Jesus, Herod has one of his royal robes brought out and put on Jesus.
Still Jesus refuses to respond. Herod throws up his hands in exasperation. “Take Him back to Pilot.”
Jesus is roughly pushed and shoved all the way back to Pilot’s hall. When Pilot sees Him, he calls for Jesus to be brought inside.
“Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33) asks Pilot.
“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” (John 18:34) asks Jesus.
Indignant, Pilate answers, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:35).
Jesus shakes His head. “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36).
Pilot catches Jesus’ words about His Kingdom. “So you are a king?” (John 18:37a) Pilot asks.
Jesus answers, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37b).
Pilot wags his head and says; “What is truth?” (John 18:38a). “Bring Him back outside” Pilot orders.
Standing before the religious leaders, Pilot gives his ruling. “I find no guilt in him” (John 18:38b). “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 of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him” (Luke23:14-16).
“NO! He is worthy of death!
The Jews have gathered together outside of the governor’s residence. This is the time of year when Pilot releases one prisoner. He is hoping that the people can convince their leaders to allow him to release Jesus. “If I put Jesus up against Barabbas, the people are sure to choose Jesus” he tells himself.
Pilot sets up the scene. He has Jesus brought to his left and Barabbas to his right. Pilot raises his hands for the crowd to be silent. He points to Jesus and says; “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:37-38). Pilot looks out over the people and says again; “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17).
The religious leaders begin calling out for Barabbas’ release. They spur the people on to join them. Before long, “Give us Barabbas” rings from every corner of the crowd.
Pilot’s heart sinks, but he can’t show it to the people. He holds his hands out to the crowd for silence again. When order is returned, he motions for his guards to come forward.
“Take Jesus and scourge Him. Then return here with Him.”
Jesus is drawn away into a private courtyard where He is stripped and beaten with a whip. This whip is made up of nine leather thongs held together at the hilt. Each of the thongs has pieces of pottery, metal, and rocks attached and embedded in them. With each lash of the whip, flesh and muscle are ripped from the body. Extreme agony with every swing. Jesus is as stoic as humanly possible, but screams of agony are forced from His lips. Fifteen lashes are laid upon Him before He is brought back out to the people.
Jesus stands, wobbly, to the left of Pilot again. “Who do you want me to release to you? The man called Jesus, or Barabbas?”
Pilot fully expects the people to call for Jesus’ release. He is convinced that Jesus is only in this position because of envy from the ruling body.
“Barabbas! Give us Barabbas!” the crowd shouts.
“Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22a) asks Pilot.
“Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22b) they cry with one voice.
“Why? What evil has he done?” (Matthew 27:23a) he pleads with them.
“Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:23b) they cry at a fever pitch.
Pilot can see a riot developing. He raises his hands again. The crowd doesn’t go silent, but the pitch does come down significantly.
“Bring me a basin of water and a towel” Pilot calls to his servant.
When the items are brought before Pilot, he makes a point of washing his hands in front of the people. As the water runs from his hands, he calls out to the people. “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” (Matthew 27:24).
“His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) the people cry out.
Pilot takes the towel and dries his hands. He turns to the soldiers. “Take Him away. Do as the people have demanded.”
Jesus is taken again into the inner courtyard. This time there is no restraint. The entire battalion is present. They have picked up on the Jew’s hatred and assumed it as their own. Humiliation and torture take the place that restraint once occupied.
A branch of the most resilient and painful thorns is cut from a bush. It is twisted and woven into a crown. It is pressed down on Jesus’ head with as much force as possible, driving the thorns deep into His scalp.
A reed is forced into Jesus’ hand, then snatched back from Him. Then it is used to hit Him with it.
The robe that Herod placed on Jesus is caked in blood from His first beating. The soldiers rip it from His back, reopening the wounds. Jesus is then whipped again. By the time the soldiers are done with their ‘work’ Jesus is nearly unrecognizable as a person.
Before bringing Jesus back out to walk the road to the cross, the robe is thrown over his back again. Weak and stumbling, Jesus is led to the gate where a crossbeam is placed upon His back.
“Carry it!” is barked by the captain.
Jesus grasps the crossbeam. One end falls to the ground. Jesus struggles with it, but carries it for a fair distance. Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. He is unable to rise again carrying the heavy burden.
The captain kicks Jesus several times before surrendering to the fact that Jesus can’t go on. He turns to the crowd and sees a man standing nearby. He reaches into the crowd and pulls the man from it.
“You! Carry His cross!” he demands.
The man, Simon from Cyrene, is in town for the Passover. He heard Jesus teaching in the Temple earlier this week. His heart was touched by Jesus’ words. Now, he stands beside the fallen Jesus, being forced to help Him reach the cross.
Simon lifts the crossbeam from Jesus’ back. He puts his hand out to Jesus. Jesus reaches up and takes Simon’s arm. Simon then helps Jesus rise from the ground. Simon balances the crossbeam on his shoulders. Simon feels the warmth of Jesus blood against his cheek as he carries the crossbeam. The two of them walk side by side the rest of the way to Golgotha.
The people along the way jeer at Jesus as He is led down the road. Some spit at Him or turn their backs to Him. Very few people stick up for Him.
It is nine in the morning when the group reach Golgotha. Simon is shoved away as soon as they arrive. Jesus is drug over to the place where He will be nailed to the crossbeam. He is offered wine mixed with Gall to drink. It will dull the pain. Jesus refuses. He will endure this in its entirety.
There are three men being prepared for crucifixion today. Two are thieves. They are to be placed on the right and left of Jesus. They don’t refuse the mind-numbing drink. All three are led to their own crossbeams. Jesus is the only one who lays down willingly and extends His arms.
The Roman soldiers hold Jesus’ arms as the nails are pounded through the joint in His wrist. Then the crossbeam is hoisted high in the air where it is brought down and connected to the upright post. Once the two are connected, a block is brought under the feet and both feet are secured to the block with a single spike. Screams of pain emanate from the thieves. Jesus cries out as the spikes are driven but nothing afterwards.
After the three men are affixed to their crosses, their charges are written and hung above them. Pilot has a special sign written for Jesus.
Written in Greek, Aramaic, and Latin the sign reads; “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
As soon as all is in place, clouds gather over Golgotha. The sun is obscured all around as day becomes like night. Initially, the people were frightened, but as the darkness continues, they adjust to it and continue on about their business.
The religious leaders are indignant when they see the sign. They go running to Pilot to have him change it or take it down.
“Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews’” (John 19:21) Caiaphas demands.
Pilot is firm. He will neither change it, nor remove it. “What I have written I have written” (John 19:22).
The religious leaders have no other option than to walk away. “We will make certain that the people don’t believe it. We will stand there and rail against this Man the whole time.”
While the religious leaders are complaining to Pilot, the soldiers are engaged in an ‘activity’ of their own. They have taken the clothes of the prisoners and divided them among themselves. But Jesus robe was so well made that they refused to tear it. Instead, they cast lots for His robe.
As Jesus looks down on the soldiers, He prays; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Golgotha can easily be seen from the road leading into Jerusalem. The people coming by mock Jesus. “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Luke 23:35).
Even after Jesus called out for God to forgive the soldiers, they still mocked Him. They offered Him sour wine and said; “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:37).
One of the criminals who was hanging beside Jesus joined in on the taunting of Jesus. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39).
The man on the other side rebuked the other criminal. “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” (Luke 23:40-41).
He looks to Jesus and says; “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
Jesus’ heart is moved by the man. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
At the foot of the cross are several of the women who followed Jesus during His travels. With them is one single disciple; John.
John followed Jesus from a distance while He was pulled from ‘trial’ to ‘trial’. He never interfered, but neither did he leave.
Jesus looks down and sees John standing beside His ima. Jesus turns His eyes to His ima and says; “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:26). Then He turns His eyes to John. “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:27). From that day on, John will be Mary’s protector.
Jesus is nearing the end of His struggle. Every breath brings agony. Evening is quickly approaching. He knows it is time.
Jesus feels distance between Himself and His Abba that was never there before as the sin of the world settles on His shoulders. He cries out in a different kind of pain. “‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34).
Some of the bystanders mistake His words. They call out; “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
“I thirst” (John 19:28). He calls out. A sponge filled with sour wine is lifted up to His lips on a hyssop branch. As the branch is lifted up, those believing Jesus is calling out to Elijah say; “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down” (Mark 15:36).
After drinking what He wants, Jesus cries out “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46).
These are the last words Jesus says. His head drops to His chest. His struggle truly is finished.
At the very moment Jesus breathed His last, the earth trembles. The veil in the Temple is ripped in two from top to bottom. And the graves of several of the saints break open, their occupants going into the city.
One of the soldiers standing at the foot of Jesus’ cross, when seeing how Jesus dies, calls out; “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Luke 15:39).
It is the time of the evening sacrifice; the Passover sacrifice. The religious leaders come to Pilot again. “The bodies cannot remain on the cross after sundown. The high Sabbath starts at that time.”
Pilot sends word for the legs of the men on the cross to be broken. This will prevent them from raising up on their legs to catch a breath. The soldiers break the legs of both thieves, but when they go to break Jesus’ legs, they find that He has already died. To ensure that He is dead, the soldier shoves his spear upward into Jesus side. When he withdraws it, blood and water gush forth.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus have been waiting for this moment. When they heard of Jesus’ conviction that morning, they knew what they had to do. They go to the market and purchase linen and spices for burying Jesus. As soon as they know that He is dead, they ask go to Pilot.
“We want the body of Jesus of Nazareth. We want to honor Him in burial.”
Pilot’s heart is moved. He never wanted Jesus to be killed to begin with. He is pleased that someone will honor Jesus in death. As Pilot writes a letter to the guards at the cross, he says to Joseph; “He is yours.”
Joseph and Nicodemus hurry back to the cross and present the letter to the captain. The guards lower Jesus’ body. Nicodemus and Joseph lay Jesus on a cart. They carry Jesus’ body to the tomb of Joseph.
Carefully, but quickly they wash Jesus’ body, anoint it with spices, and wrap it in the linen cloth. They gently lay Jesus on the prepared shelf. Once they have finished, they use a leaver and roll a specially prepared stone over the opening of the tomb.
While Joseph and Nicodemus work, they have no idea they are being observed. The women who were at the foot of the cross followed the two men to this place. They watch from a distance as Jesus is laid to rest.
Once the stone is in place, all those in attendance make their way home. The women make plans for later on.
“We can put together spices and bring them to anoint His body.”
“Not until after the Sabbath” reminds Mary Magdalene.
Joseph and Nicodemus believe the task is complete. Their hearts are aching, but have no idea what to do now.
One thing I want to comment on is the “rooster” vs the “cock” crowing. I have discovered a site called “Beyond the Words” that digs into God’s words. This site looks at the culture, customs, and meaning of the words and phrases. One of the topics discussed was this section in scripture. At the time of Jesus, there was a horn that was blown at sunrise called the “cock”. It is believed by the moderator of this site that this is the sound Peter heard. It makes a lot of sense to me. I decided to go with that explanation for my story.
(to be continued)
It’s time for Jesus’ to go to work in the spiritual world. Most of the rest of the world think it is over.
I find it interesting that today is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth, and today, I am visiting Jesus’ death. I have come full circle today. The reason for Jesus’ birth is completed in His death.
Thank You Lord for loving me enough to reach out and do what I could never do. To make a way for me to be with You again. Thank You for sending Jesus! I have NO hope apart from Him.
Jesus, happy birthday, first of all. And THANK YOU, most of all. I’m SO GLAD this isn’t the end. Thank You for helping me complete this portion of the journey with me today. There were so many distractions. Thank You for encouraging me to finish today instead of waiting for tomorrow.
