Introduction: And what a busy day it was! Remember that the Jewish day had 24 hours but began at nightfall and thus their day was different from ours! Supper for the Passover meal was eaten commonly at about 7PM our time.
- He had a supper meal with His disciples the evening before Passover which included many things a) Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (Jesus rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.) b) Named the Betrayer by handing Judas a special piece of the common food. (So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.) c) Jesus taught many great Kingdom Principles – A New commandment, He as the Only Way to God,The coming and work of the Holy Spirit, The true Vine, Sorrow to joy because of His rising. d) prayed His High Priestly Prayer.
- He entered the garden across the Brook Kidron a) other gospels describe further prayer b) He was betrayed and arrested c) healed Malchus’ amputated ear – thanks Peter! (Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.)
- Led to Annas for ‘trial’. (First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.) Here a) Peter denied Him b) He was struck on the face during questioning c) sent to Caiaphas, the High Priest.
- Now early morning before Pilate. (Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters.) a) In the outer court the Jews accuse Jesus, demanding death! b) Inside Pilate’s HQ talk about the ‘King of the Jews’ and Truth c) outer court again. Pilate suggest release the Jews chose Barabbas! c. Jesus flogged, crowned with thorns, mocked and dressed as a King, and declared to be guiltless. (Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” Then d) the Jews refused to kill Jesus themselves (they could have done so by stoning) instead they demanded crucifixion. They won the day by accusing Pilate of being disloyal to Caesar! (“If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend.”) e) At the Judgement seat for political expediency condemned to crucifixion!
- Jesus bearing His Cross was led to the place of a Skull, where He was crucified. a) His Title, chosen by Pilate, was fixed above His head ‘The King of the Jews,’ b) His clothes were divided amongst the soldiers c) watched by various disciples Jesus gave his mother into the Apostle John’s care – “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.) d) Jesus said “I thirst.” and “It is finished,” e) “Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” f) Was speared to prove that He was dead.
- Before the sun set so that Jewish Law wasn’t broken “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”
- Thus the day begun as a Rabbi amongst His twelve Disciples ended up with a corpse in a borrowed grave, betrayed by one of the twelve, and denied by another. But He died, if the Bible is true, as the Redeemer of the World! Tomorrow is another day! He was the Paschal Lamb that day.
John 16: 14 – It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. – Jesus dying for sinners was not what Caiaphas meant!
Prayer: Thank You Jesus that You did all of this for me and all of us sinners. Thank You.
As I read it! 