|
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the
heart of the Christian message.
THE WEEK BEFORE CHRIST'S DEATH ON THE CROSS.
1. FRIDAY: End of fast; temptations by the devil
2. SATURDAY: Arrived in Bethany; Lazarus was raised.
3. SUNDAY: Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem; Children praised raising palm leaves;
healed the blind and the lame.
4. MONDAY: Cursing the fig tree; enemies gathered.
5. TUESDAY: Conspiracy continued; Lamented on Jerusalem.
6. WEDNESDAY: Supper at Bethany
7. THURSDAY: The Last Supper: Feet Washing (Matthew 26:26-20; Luke 22: 14-23;
John 13: 3-17, 21); Departure of Judas; Foretells disciples' desertion and
Peter's denial ; prayer for the Church (Mark 14: 27-31; John 13: 36-38;
chapters 14-17).
FRIDAY (the Day Christ was crucified): Night: Prayer in Gethsemane; disciples
slept; Angel strengthened (Matthew 26: 36-46; Luke 22:43); Judas arrived with
mob, seized, disciples ran (Matthew 26: 47-56). Early Morning: Taken to Annas;
sent to Caiphas; Peter denied (John 18: 12-24); Sanhedrim tried for blasphemy
(Matthew 26: 57-66); Peter denied 2nd and 3rd time (Mark 14: 70-72; Luke 22:
58-62); mocked, beaten, and spat upon (Luke 22: 63-65); sent to Pilate (Luke
22: 66-71; 23:1).
Morning: Judas hung himself (Matthew 27: 3-10); Pilate, after questioning,
sent to Herod (Luke 23: 1-7); Herod returned to Pilate (Luke 23: 8-11);
Pilate's attempt to release; rejection; scourging (Matthew 27: 15-26; Mark 15:
21-22; John 19: 1-16). 9 a.m - 3 p.m.: Crucified between two robbers (Mark
15: 25-28); prayed for the murderers (Luke 23:34); soldiers divided the
garments (Matthew 27:35); scoffed and mocked (Matthew 27: 39-44); asked John
to care for
Mary (John 19: 25-27); darkness all over the land from noon to 3 p.m. (Matthew
27: 45); given sour wine and stabbed; spoke last words and died (Luke 23:46;
John 18: 28-30; 34-37). Late afternoon: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodimus
claimed the body and laid in a new tomb (Matthew 27: 60; Mark 15: 42-46; John
19: 38-42).
JUDAS ISCARIOT: (1). Traitor (Luke 6:16), betrayer (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19),
thief (John), son of destruction and curse (Peter). Jesus said that it would
have been good for him if he was not born (Matthew 26: 24).
(2). The word means "The praise of God."; but no one dares to give
that name to anyone because of aversion. Parents' hope of their children and
the results.
(3). Not used his position and apostleship: Treasurer, sat nearer the Lord at
the Last Supper. But he fell from his prestigious position. Very difficult to
renew such people (Hebrews 6: 4-5).
(4). Jealousy: He was the only one from Judea. Others were from Galilee. May
not have inner position like John, James and Peter, Jealous might have played
a part. His love of money and desperation of not happening with Jesus as he
expected from Him.
(5). Did not use his time intelligently: Warned that one of them was a devil
(John 6:70). Jesus told him directly that he is the traitor (Matthew 26:25).
(6). Overconfidence: He might have thought that Jesus could overcome all the
opposition and arrest easily.
(7). "Akel Dama: "Field of Blood" (Acts 1:19): That is his death
place. Peter repented; Judas did not. (more in OUR CHURCH, chapter II)
PONTIAS PILATE: (1) Governor (Luke 3:2), but became afraid of Jesus' situation
(John 19:8).
(2). "I am innocent of the blood of this just person" (Matthew 27:
24). He is remembered daily in our Nicean creed.
(3). His conscience as well as his wife who told him that Jesus is innocent.
So also the Law was in favor of Jesus. Still he made the wrong judgment.
(4). Joined with the wish of the multitude: Few days back, they said
"Hosanna" to Jesus, now they say, "crucify, crucify."
(5). Stood to preserve his own power and authority: When he heard "You
are not Caesar's friend", decided against Jesus.
(6). A coward: Sent to Herod; wanted to release either Jesus or Barabas;
scourged to satisfy the crowd.
(7). Stubborn: Not to change the title put on the cross "Jesus of
Nazareth, the king of the Jews" (John 19:19) to "He said, I am the
king of the Jews" (John 19: 21-22).
(8). The death of Pilate (from Apocrypha): Roman emperor Tiberias was
seriously ill. Heard about a physician in Jerusalem who could cure anyone by
uttering a single word. He sent Volusiannus to Jerusalem for more information
... heard from Pilate's palace about Jesus Christ who was condemned to death
by Pilate ... disappointed and left .... On the way met Veronica who told her
experiences in making pictures of Christ .... she went went with him to the
emperor, prayed and the emperor was cured. Ordered to arrest Pilate, but when
the emperor saw him, changed his mind. but when Pilate left, got angry again
and called back. This happened few times ... realizing the situation, Pilate
killed himself using his own sword
... dead body thrown into Tiber river... thunder and lightening.. so thrown
into river Ron in Vienna ... problem there too ... so taken to Luzania in
Switzerland and buried in between the mountains.
PETER'S FAILURE (Matthew 26: 33 cf. 74):
(1) Peter's great concern turned into bitter
experience: Peter did not want to see Jesus suffered (Matthew 16: 21-22). He
said that he will never stumble (Matthew 26:33). Even peter cut the right ear
of Malchus, the high priest's servant at Gethsemane during the arrest event
(John 18:10). But later he fled from the scene (Matthew 26: 56), followed the
arrested Jesus and stood at the door outside (John 18: 15-16), but later
admitted. Here he denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26: 71: to the servant
girl; 26; 72: to another girl; and a 3rd time: Matthew 26: 74, to those
who stood by).
(2) Peter's over confidence: He said that he will
never stumble. His personal dependency. Pride and haughty spirit lead to
destructions (Proverbs 16: 18). Goliath was fallen by David, the shepherd boy
(1 Samuel 17). We should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to
think (Romans 12:3). We have
to take heed lest be fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). We have to depend upon God's
grace.
(3) Ignored prayer: Slept in
Gethsemane while
the Lord was praying. Samson slept in the lap of Delila that led to his fall.
We have to awake to receive the Lord's light (Ephesians 5:14; Romans 13:11;
Isaiah 26:18; 60:1).
(4) Followed Christ at a distance (Matthew 26:
58): Told him to "follow me." No dedication or submission.
(5) Circumstances led him to deny (Matthew
26:58). Sat with the servants at the fireside warming himself: do not sit in
the seat of the scornful (Psalms 1:1). Light cannot communicate with darkness
(2 Corinthians
6:14).
(6) Failure led him to victory. Peter went out
and cried bitterly (Matthew 26:75). Sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians
7:9). The power of God (1 Peter 1:4) kept him through faith to be submissive
(1 Peter 5:5) and to resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8).
ANNAS, THE HIGH PRIEST (John 18: 13; 19-24):
(1) Questioned about Jesus' disciples and His doctrine (John 18:19): To find
fault politically and religiously.
(2) Became high priest by bribing the Romans. Spokesman of the people and
president of Sanhidrim. Self-served: Money making business and family oriented
affairs.
(3) He hated Jesus because of jealous (Mark 15:9) and because Jesus proclaimed
that they were making he God's temple into robber's den that led to loss of
income. Same thing happened to Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:27-29). Also Jesus'
questioning irritated them.
(4) Bribery again (Matthew 28:11) .. to the soldiers.
SIMON, THE CYRENIAN (Mark 15:21): (1) Jesus was taken to Calvary - the
offering was carried outside the camp (Leveticus 16:27).
(2) Simon was compelled to bear Jesus' cross: An unexpected experience. Though
disliked to carry the cross, he did it which made him great. Like Joseph, son
of Jacob, who was sold, finally became the prime minister.
(3) Carried another one's burden: "Bear one another's burden."
Galatians 6:2.
(4) He did his job faithfully, may be because of his love to Jesus. He is
proud of carrying the cross of the Savior.
(5) His family became Jesus' followers. Children Alexander and Ruphos (Mark
15:21) and wife (Romans 16:13) became prominent leaders in the Church. The
Cyrene Christians (Acts 11:20) later preached the
Gospel in Antioch.
JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA (John 19:38):
(1) Rich man: He had a tomb of his own in the garden. Brought 100 pounds of
myrrh and aloes.
(2) Council member (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50): Prestigious position. He made use
of it profitably.
(3) Just man: Luke 23: 50.
(4) Waited for the kingdom of God: Mark 15:13; Luke 23: 51: Waited for the
fulfillment of the prophecies ( Isaiah 11: 1ff; Amos 5: 25)
(5) Disciple of Jesus: Matthew 27: 57. Like Nicodimus (John 3:3; 19:39),
Joseph was a secret disciple. It was a drawback to him (Luke 9:26).
(6) Courageously came forward to ask for the body of Jesus: Mark 15:43):
Burial with the help of Nicodemus. Make use of the "acceptable time"
and "the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2; Isaiah 49: 8).
JESUS' TRIAL: LUKE 22: 66-68
1. No anger to any one: "With malice to none and charity for all."
Abraham Lincoln after the Civil War. Jesus was calm and quite... wanted their,
conversion. St. Paul was angry. When Pharaoh's soldiers drown in the Red sea,
angels thrilled with joy, but God scolded
them: "Aren't they also my children."
2. Jesus is the trial judge, not to be tried: Pilate
was unsteady, Caipha wretched, Annas business man. Judgment: John 3:19 3. The
death was the fulfillment of God's eternal goal:
The lamb prepared to be sacrificed .. was ready to accept (John 18:11). Good
comes out of the world of evil.
JESUS' DEATH
Meditate the cross of Jesus on Calvary with the following thoughts:
1. Some shouted that Jesus blasphemied against
God and should be condemned to death.
2. Some accused Him of treason and demanded for
His execution.
3. Pontius Pilate agonised over what to do with
Jesus.
4. The Jewish leaders including the high priest
brought charges against Jesus.
5. Jesus' closest friends disowned Him and fled.
6. Some followed Him to the cross mourning for
Him.
7. Some insulted as He was dying: "Let Him
come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him" Mt. 27:42. A
big challenge. Jesus could have come down, but resurrection is the important
event. Jesus came to fulfill the will of God: John 6:38. Peter tried to prevent
Him from crucifixion: Matthew 16:22-23. If the cross was the end of the story,
it would be a story of tragedy, not victory. Jesus was a conqueror and it was
a victory. (Satan's challenge to make stone bread, but Satan failed: Matthew
4:3-4).
8. One of the criminals executed with Him was
deeply moved.
9. The other robber said:" If you are the
Christ, save yourself and us" (Luke 23:39). "He was numbered with
the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12), thus crucified between two robbers. He
simply followed others by blaspheming Jesus ... criticized for nothing, may be
because of jealousy. cf. the older brother of the prodigal son and Cain
against Abel. His prayer like that of the Pharisee vs. the publican. He lost
paradise. Learn to love each other.
10. A centurion uttered: "Surely this man
was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).
11. There was darkness between noon and 3 p.m.
12. The curtain in the temple was ripped in to
two from top to bottom.
13. Tombs broke open and many were raised from
the dead
14. Though Jesus was crucified, he raised from
the dead.
15. Jesus was God in the flesh. God came down to
reach out humans. God "reconciled us to Himself through Christ" (2
Corinthians 5:18). As St. Paul told to Titus, Christians' future rests on the
hope of eternal life that God "promised before the beginning of
time"
(Titus 1:2). We have to reconcile with Him. As St. Peter says, everyone has
"to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
16. Jesus died forgiving (Luke 23:33-34): Trouble
forgiving others and trouble accepting forgiveness of our sins. Humanity:
"How much you loved us?" Jesus: "This much": Then He
spread both of His hands to both sides, rested His head on the cross and died.
17. Died proving the seriousness of sin. First
time when we sin, conscious pricks and sticks ... eventually become a
habit. Our sins killed Jesus on the cross when He cried with a loud voice:
Matthew 27:46.
18. Died thoughtful of His loved ones: Concern
for His mother (John 19:26-27). A new son and a new mother. Jesus told to cry
for them and for their children, not for Him (Luke 23:28). His concern for
Mary who washed His feet and also at the death of Lazarus. Told them to cry
for those who are the reason for His crucifixion.
19. Died having finished what He started: John
19:30. We start several things, but finish few. We change sides. Peter
confessed Jesus and then denied. Howabout us? Jesus finished his mission.
THOSE WHO CRUCIFIED JESUS
1. Judas: For the love of money
2. Peter and disciples: For the lack of courage
3. Annas and Caipha: For prestige and profit
4. Herod: Because of his wife Herodia's instigation
5. Pilate: To please the crowd and to retain his job
6. Soldiers: For their livelihood
7. Jews: Because of their anger for pointing out their follies and drawbacks
8. We: Our sins ("You are the man" (2 Samuel 12:7) Nathan to David.
9. The common people: Misled by the leaders.
CRUCIFIED WHERE?
1. On Calvary: Adam's skull
2. Between heaven and earth
3. At the center of the world
4. Between two robbers
5. Between Angels and Human Beings
6. At the Center of History: AD & BC.
TO PONDER
1. Two disciples slept (at Gethsemane)
2. One disciple betrayed
3. Another one denied
4. Some ran away
5. Women followed and cried
6. Only Angels and Nicodemus comforted
CHRIST'S FIVE WOUNDS
"Bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5, 10)
(Pelican bird feed the chicks with its own flesh).
1. IN THE FACE: They spat in His face, beat Him and struck Him (Matthew
26:67): spat, struck and slapped. When we use our hands for unlawful and
insincere things, we are striking Jesus with our hands.
2. ON THE BACK: They scourged Jesus: Matthew 27:26 cf. Psalms 129:3. Plowers
plowed. Because the crowd uttered to crucify Him and to release Barabas. Are
we doing
the same?
3. ON THE HEAD: Crowns of thorns: Matthew 27:29. cf. Genesis 3:18 and Isaiah
55:13: Thorns and thistles. Struck on the head: Matthew 27:30. Became out of
shape. Are we using our brain against Jesus?
4. HANDS AND FEET: Psalms 22:16. They crucified Him: Matthew 27:35. Pierced
nails. Through heresy and walking through wrong paths, we hurt Him.
5. HEART: Pierced His side with a spear: John 19:34. Look on Him whom they
have pierced: Zechariah 12:10. Insults broken the heart: Psalm 69:20.
(FIVE WOUNDS: FIVE HOLES ON THE COMMUNION BREAD)
Jesus suffered all these for us. What do we do for Him?" What shall I
render to the Lord, for all His benefits toward me ?" (Psalm 116:12).
Make our decisions blended with the blood of Jesus on the cross.
|
THE LAST SERMON
Normally Romans gauged the mouth and cover the face of the crucified. Here an
exception, may be to utter the seven verses from the cross. Here is a cross on
that same mount where Isaac was taken to sacrifice. Abraham's words: "My
son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering", about 2600
years back. Here is another sacrifice on another altar. The size of the cross
depends upon the person, big or small. Here big for Christ and small for the
robbers. Soldiers mocked by saying: "If thou be the king of Jews, save thyself." and "Thou that destroyed ... from the
cross." The chief priests with elders and Scribes mocked as:
"If He be the king of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross,
and we will believe Him." Garments were divided. Normally those who were crucified uttered under despair, blasphemies and curses. Jesus spoke 7 times
from the cross: three times to God, the Father and four times to those nearby:
first three for others - those crucified, the robber, and then the mother;
fourth to the Father, fifth to quench His thirst, 6th about His triumph, and
the 7th, directly to the Father. St. Matthew and St. Mark describe one, St.
Luke and St. John three each.
I. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34):
During light. Lots of people took part in our Lord's crucifixion. Jesus is not
angry against them, but prayed for their forgiveness: cf. Luke 19:41 (wept for
Jerusalem). a. This prayer made way for the conversion of many souls. No
revenge. The girl who escaped from the murderer of her parents and siblings
became a nurse and happened to care the culprit, but served him carefully and revealed herself when he said goodbye
by quoting the above verse.
b. New Testament message: No tit for tat as in the Old Testament. Judges
16:28: Samson wanted renewed strength for revenge; 2 Chronicles 24:22: Zechariah
prayed for revenge. But in the New Testament, different approach:
Acts 7:60: St. Stephen: "Do not charge them with this sin." We
should have love and patience: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
c. Words go with actions: Taught to love enemies and pray for the persecutors:
Matthew 5:44. Forgive seven to 70 times.
d. They did because of their ignorance: They knew that they crucified a just
man. But they did not know this when they crucified; Acts 3:17. Peter to the
crowd; because of their ignorance: Paul 1 Corinthians 2:8.
e. Words of hope and expectation: Forgiving spirit.
II. Today, you will be with me in paradise: Luke 23:43. Jesus was crucified in
between the robbers as prophesied (Isaiah 53:12). Darkness started. The two
thieves joined bystanders to revile Jesus (Mark 15:32). One of them insulted
by saying: "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us" (Luke 23:39). The other, though mocked
earlier, repented and rebuked the other and prayed (like Joseph in Genesis
40:14) to Jesus to remember him:" Lord, remember me when you come into
your kingdom" (v.42) ... this is our prayer when we kneel down before the
cross with offertory on Good Friday ... to which Jesus responded by giving him
hope. Those who reject God, their petitions go unanswered. Thief converted at
the nick of the time. The Lord marvels at the conversion of the wicked
(Ezekiel 18:21-24. The Lord never cast out (John 6:37). Those who surrender
get strength to face the present and hope for the future.
a. He really
understood Jesus: Pilate asked whether Jesus is king (Luke 23:3; John
19:14-15). "If you are the king of Jews, save yourself": Soldiers (Luke 23:36); "If you are
the Christ, save yourself and us": the other robber. "Hail, king of
the Jews": Soldiers (Mark 15:18). They were all rebuking Jesus. But this
robber believed that Jesus was king because of his personal experiences. Jesus' words to the women: Do not weep for me, but weep
for yourselves and for your children (Luke 23:28); His prayer to forgive those
who crucified; He might have seen the inscription:" Jesus of Nazareth, the
King of the Jews" (John 19:19) in Hebrew (Universal language), Greek
(Literary language), and Latin/Roman (Law language). God might have revealed him. He believed that "this man has done nothing
wrong" (Luke 23:41).
b. His humble prayer: John and James wanted high position in His kingdom;
David prayed to have mercy on him (Psalms 51:1); Repented publican prayed to
have mercy on him, a sinner; thief prayed to remember him. The Lord is rich to
give to all who call upon Him:
Romans 10:12-13. Call Him with faith to be saved.
c. Jesus' promise: Will be with Him in the paradise. God is able to do
exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20). Asked to remember: Got the promise to
be with Him, not long after, but the same day. To be with Him is the greatest
blessing. St. Paul wished for it (Philippians 1:23). After death we are going
to be with Him alive.
d. We are saved because of His grace, not just because of faith in action:
Ephesians 2:8.
e. The thief on the left is the representative of the goats (also of Judaism
who didn't believe) who will be on His left at the great day of final account
and the right thief is that of the sheep (also of Gentiles who believed) is of
His right and receive blessing. The Jews believed that in heaven itself, there
are seven mansions into which several degrees of the elect would be
admitted. St. Paul speaks of him as caught into the third of these seven
heavens (2 Corinthians 12:20); Jesus also taught this (John 14:2).
f. In Christ's first word, He exercised his
function as High Priest, the second is of promise. The first gives repentance
and grace to the sinner; the second opened the door to a great sinner. The
first is of with the kingdom of grace, the second is of glory. The thief wants
only to remember; Jesus says that he is with Him. The chief butler and Joseph
only after two years; here the same day.
g. Jesus' readiness to receive and pardon all those who turn to Him. cf.
Zechariah 13:1. The first saved was thus a thief.
h. Penitence or true repentance has its own reward.
III. "Woman, behold your son.......behold your mother" (John
19:26-27): Concern to His mother. Don't forget one's own (1 Timothy 5:8).
Jesus had a trusted friend:
John, the disciple. (First verse was to God, the father; second was to the
repented thief; third to His own mother and loving disciple):
a. Lamenting mother is at the foot of the cross: All her life ... pregnancy,
delivery, ministry, all led her for worries and concerns ... sword pierced
through her soul: Luke 2:35. The forehead, hands, legs His mother kissed and
touched are nailed to the cross. Disciples and own people deserted Him. Only
mother is
nearby with the beloved children. b. Son on the cross: Jesus lived for others.
One of the ten commandments to respect parents. Obey your parents (Ephesians
6:1 (St. Paul). Jesus was "subject" to them (Luke 2:51). A mother's
wish to hear son to call her "mother" before she dies.
c. The disciple at the foot of the cross: Thomas said: "Let us also go,
that we may die with Him" (John 11:16). Peter: "Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will
never be made stumble" (Matthew 26:33. Both of them are gone. All
disciples forsook Him and fled (Matthew 26:56). John returned. If we are gone
away from Him, let us go back.
IV. "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabakthani": "My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). A cry that in the thick dark
... .darkness all over. Jesus is the light of the world... then how come He
cried in the dark? Jesus prayed at Gethsemane to takeaway the suffering (Luke 22:42). Jesus was tempted and tested like us (Hebrews
4:15). We too call God when in agony. Jesus quoted the first portion of Psalm
22:1: Messiah's suffering and exaltation. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is God and Man. He made Him to be
sin for us (2 Corinthians5:21). Here is a cry of a sinless who was made to be
sin. Jesus bore our own sins on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). He is the slaughtered
lamb (Revelation 13:8).Sin brings darkness (Exodus 10:21). When emerged with
sinners, had to go through unusual experiences. The light shines in the
darkness (John 1:15). To work during day. as no one can work in the dark (John
9:4). Asked the question from the cross representing the sinners. The
wages of sin is death. To raise them from the grave (Psalms 49:13-14), Jesus
cried aloud. God's rod and staff comfort us (Psalms 23:4). He sets us on
high places (Psalms 18:33) and glory shall come in (Psalms 24:7). Can we be candles in the dark? Because Jesus pointed out their
love of money and hypocrisy and the lack of leadership, Jews wanted to destroy
Jesus. Judas Iscariot did not change even after spending with Jesus for 3
years. Pilate because of the concern of his job, made the bad judgment. We
have to make good decisions with repentance not to sin again and thereby not to crucify Him.
V. I Thirst (John 19:28): Jesus endured the heat, pain, rejection and
loneliness. Darkness started to move. Asked for help ... for a drink and
received vinegar (Matthew 27:48) thus fulfilled David's 1000 year-old prophecy
(Psalm 69:21). Jesus is thirsty for the lost souls. cf. Samaritan woman and
the lost sheep (John 4:34f). Hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). It shows
Jesus' extreme passion on the cross. It also shows that Jesus was also human -
born of a woman and was brought up as a man. ..was hungry and thirsty, was happy and sad; got angry, etc. As God, walked on the water,
calmed the sea, cured the sick, raised the dead, and so on... was king as well
as servant... as God promised paradise, as human, was thirsty. Jesus
experienced all our pains and hunger and thirst (Hebrews 2:17; 4:15). We have our Savior in such a person: He
quenches our thirst.
VI. It is finished (John 19:30): Finished the work on the earth. His work was
to teach to love the Lord our God as well as our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
Do it with our might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). God ended His work (Genesis 2:2). It is done (Revelation 2:6).
a. Fulfilled all prophecies and signs: All the Old Testament predictions
completed.
b. Completed all the will of God: At the age of
twelve (Luke 2:49); To finish His work (John 4:34); Finished the work given
(John 17:4).
c. Completed the sufferings (Isaiah 53: Suffering Servant). Earlier He said:
"My hour has not come yet" (John 2:4); Son of Man shall lifted up
(John 3:15); At the time of Transfiguration about His sufferings
(Matthew 17:12); told disciples about the sufferings in Jerusalem (Matthew
16:21); at Gethsemane to take the cup away (Luke 22:42); He bore our sins in
His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24).
d. Completed the fight against the devil with triumph: Colossians 2:15.
VII. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46):
(a) Committed with complete submission (Psalms 31:5) ... could be a prayer
before go to sleep. Father: Luke 2:49; 22:42; John 10:18.
(b) Intimate relationship with Father at the time of death: Communion with Him
all the time. Daniel, St. Paul and Silas experienced in the jail; even in the
valley of the shadow of death (Psalms 23:4). (c) Saw the gory of God: St.
Stephen (Acts 7:55)
(d) Laid His life by Himself (John 10:18). We live by faith in Him (Galatians
2:20).
(e) Let us rest in Him: John 10:28-29.
THE CROSS AND CRUCIFIXION
1. Jesus was crucified on Calvary (Latin) or Golgotha (Aramaic) which means
skull. It was outside the city of Jerusalem (John 19:20; Hebrews 13:12); near
a well-traveled road as passersby mocked Him (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:21,
29-30); on a hill to be plainly visible at a distance (Mark 15:40) and the tomb was in a garden (John 19:41.
2. The portrayal of Jesus on the cross is very sacred. The death of Jesus on
the cross was the most important act of human history.
3. In the Roman empire, crucifixion was originally the punishment of slaves.
Later, foreigners and criminals were executed on the cross.
4. The cross was a symbol of humiliation. Jesus transformed humanity from sin
and death through crucifixion (Galatians 3:13) humbly, obediently and
voluntarily (Philippians 2:5-8).
5. Crucifixion atones: pays for our sins; crucifixion justifies (spiritually
right with God), crucifixion reconciles (takes away the sins), and crucifixion
redeems (pays the note of debt): Colossians 1:21-22.
6. Crucifixion transformed Paul, the persecutor (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy
1:13) with "Christ, the crucified" and "the message of the
cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). With spiritual sacrifices, we have to take up the cross (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23).
7. The Egyptians symbolized cross life; for the
Greeks, the cross was a metaphor for the four elements of creation: air,
earth, fire and water. The cross was also used as defense against demonic
forces and to ward off vampires.
8. The cross was once borne by criminals ... only the lowest of criminals:
robbers, traitors, and rebels were forced to "bear" it. Now it
represents eternal life.
9. The cross was a terrifying symbol for the Muslims during the Crusades.
10.The cross has been imprinted on battle fields and has been an award for
valor like the famed IRON CROSS given by Germany and the VICTORIA CROSS by
Britain. The US Congress gives the highest military honors of the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
11. The tree in the middle of the garden of Eden represents the cross of Jesus
Christ.
12. Human beings are created in the form of a cross.
13. The cross is the symbol of our faith, a sign of spiritual birth and
renewal.
14. CROSS: I: Selfishness; Cross is selfishness crossed out + . Sign the
cross, wear the cross, bear the cross and adore the cross.
JESUS' CRUCIFIXION
1. Jesus was a person of absolute integrity, humane, compassionate, healer and
reconciler, a person at ease with the poor and the outcasts.
2. But Jesus was executed as a criminal, practically abandoned, without the
comforts of His friends or the satisfaction of a completed mission.
3. Jesus lectured to His captors, assuring the release of His disciples, befuddling
His inquisitor with a mixture of brilliant replies and majestic
silence.
4. There is suffering and humiliation involved because of the selfishness of certain people
(clergy), carelessness of the leadership (Pontius Pilate), chaotic attitude of
the associates (soldiers) and the helplessness of the multitude (General
Public).
5. There was opposition because of His association with the sinners... showed
compassion and love, preached, healed and offered hospitality to them,
respected women and made them the most trusted followers, and criticized Jewish Law. - In the Garden of
Gethsemane for prayer. - Condemned to death:
Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke
22:66. - Crown of thorns: Crown, a royal or imperial headdress "..... and
plating a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His
right hand." (Matthew 27:29). There is a common saying: "What hat
are you wearing today?" meaning: "What job are you doing?";
"What role are you fulfilling?"; "What uniform are you
wearing?". We all wear a variety of
"hats' every day. Jesus carried our grieves and sorrows by wearing the
crown of thorns.
- Jesus takes up His cross: Carrying the cross, Jesus went forth to the place
called Calvary ... obedient to the father, like an innocent lamb to the
slaughter. - Jesus falls the first time under the cross.
- Jesus meets His afflicted mother.
- Simon of Cyrene is forced to take up the cross.
- Jesus falls a second time.
-Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem and comforted:
"Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
- Falls a third time: Beaten with blows and scourges
- Stripped of His garments: They came to the place called Golgotha or Calvary,
place of the skull. There they gave Him wine to drink, mingled with gall. He
tasted, but didn't drink. They divided His garments among them by lots thus
fulfilled the prophets.
- Nailed to the cross: Crucified with two thieves.
- Dies on the cross: Uttered the seven verses.
- Body is taken from the cross.
-Body placed in the sepulcher; Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body in a
clean linen shroud, and laid it in a new tomb.
- The Resurrection.
GOOD FRIDAY: CRISIS HANDLING DAY
1. Prayer (Matthew 26:36) at Gethsemane
2. Obedience (Matthew 26:39, 42): to do His will.
3. Watch the sleeping disciples (Matthew 26: 45)
4. Faith in God, not in men (Peter and all the
disciples): Matthew 26:35, 56.
5. Forgiveness from the cross: Luke 23: 34
6. Silence during interrogation: John 19: 9-10.
7. Stayed within the boundaries: rules and
regulations: Paid taxes, went to synagogue, taught and
preached.
8. Took care of their needs: Mother (John 19: 26-27)
TO PONDER DURING THE PASSION WEEK
1. Jesus' beloved disciple: John
2. The ear of the chief priest's servant (Malchus)
was cut
3. Peter denied Jesus three times
4. Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself and later
Mathias was elected to replace him
5. Joseph and Nicodemus helped for the burial
6. Women, especially Mary Magdalene, first witnessed the resurrected Christ.
7. Thomas did not believe first until he personally witnessed the resurrected
Jesus Christ.
|
