Good Friday. The day we recognize as the day Jesus was crucified--an act and crucifixion that would change the world of all who trust and believe in Jesus. As I study and type this post, I realize there are some who might say this is just a story and who could ever believe such? Well, I will tell you that I could and I do! I believe it ALL!
The Bible says that as soon as it was day, The Sanhedrin courts tried Jesus. They were accusing him of declaring to be the Son of God and blasphemy. Then he was led to Pilate and accused the same....perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying he is Christ the King. When Pilate said he found no fault in Jesus but the chief priests, elders and the people were more fierce with their accusations stemming from Galilee until that time. When Pilate heard Galilee, and decided that his opportunity to "pass the buck" had presented itself so Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. Herod had heard of Jesus and was happy to see the man who was so popular. Herod questioned Jesus who answered nothing. Three "trials". What a court system!
Herod and his men of war mocked Jesus, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate.
Pilate said again that he found no fault in Jesus and that Herod also found no fault guilty of death. He said he would chastise him and release him. (Tradition at the Passover feast was for one prisoner to be released.) The people were stirred up and said, "Away with this man, give us Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a murderer.) Pilate again sought to release Jesus, but the people said, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" So Pilate released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to their will.
Jesus was whipped.
Jesus was clothed with purple and wore a crown of thorns on his head while being mocked, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
Jesus was smote on the head with a reed.
Jesus was spit upon and mocked.
After this he was led out to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross to Golgotha, a place of a skull. There, Jesus was raised on the cross between two thieves. One of those thieves found a belief in Jesus at that hour.
Still on the cross, he was mocked. Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
A sponge was filled with vinegar and gave him to drink. The soldiers cast lots for his garments.
His mother, Mary, stood watching. My heart breaks for Mary. This man on the cross was the same baby in swaddling clothes that she held in the stable long ago. He had a childhood. She loved him. He was her child, too. Now he was on the cross, dying for your sins and for mine and the sins of the whole world. A humble hero, that's MY Jesus!
And then, Jesus died.
Scriptures say the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple rent in two. Life changed that day.
The soldiers broke no bones of Jesus but pierced his side and out came blood and water.
The body of Jesus was requested by Joseph of Arimathaea who took it to his tomb in a garden. They wrapped him in linen clothes as was the tradition. The chief priests and scribes approached Pilate and said that the tomb needed security so a stone was rolled in the door.
But wait, a lot can happen in three days!
I know this post has been long but I have song lyrics I'd like to share that touched me and gave a real look at this day....so read on if you will and consider. If you have a chance, google the song and hear it sang. I can never hear it without humbleness, chills, and tears, but it speaks to me. (Forgive my writing it like a story instead of lyrics.)
WATCH THE LAMB (sang by Ray Boltz)
Walking on the road to Jerusalem, the time had come to sacrifice again. My two small sons, they walked beside me on the road. The reason that they came was to watch the lamb.
"Daddy, Daddy, what will we see there? There's so much that we don't understand. So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham, then I said, "Dear children, watch the lamb. There will be so many in Jerusalem today. We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away." And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham. Then I said, "Dear Children, watch the lamb."
When we reached the city, I knew something must be wrong. There were no joyful worshipers, no joyful worship songs. I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men. Then I heard the crowd cry out, "Crucify Him!"
We tried to leave the city but we could not get away. Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play. "Why upon this day were men condemned to die? Why were we standing here where they soon would pass by?"
I looked and said, "Even now they come." The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none. The second one was violent, he was arrogant and loud. I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd. Then someone said, "there's Jesus". I could scarce believe my eyes. A man so badly beaten, he barely looked alive. Blood poured from his body from thorns upon his brow. Running down the cross, falling to the ground.
I watched him as he struggled, I watched him as he fell. The cross came down upon his back. The crowd began to yell. In that moment I felt such agony. In that moment I felt such loss. Till a soldier grabbed my arm and said, "You! Carry his cross." At first I tried to resist him, then his hand reached for his sword. So I knelt and took the cross from the Lord. I placed it on my shoulder and started down the street. The blood that he'd been shedding was running down my cheek.
They led us to Golgotha. They drove nails in his feet and hands. Yet upon the cross I heard him pray, "Father forgive them." Oh never have I seen such love in any other eyes. "Into thy hands I commit my spirit", he prayed and then he died.
I stood for what seemed like years. I'd lost all sense of time until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine. My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say, "Father, please forgive us. The lamb ran away."
"Daddy, Daddy, what have we seen here? There's so much that we don't understand." So I took them in my arms, and we turned and faced the cross, then I said, "Dear Children, watch the Lamb."
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And as the song says, I say to you, "On this day with your heart and soul, Watch the Lamb!"
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