I am not one of those people who love horror movies or shows with bloody gruesome scenes. The thought of others being tortured hurts my soul. To see the news, or hear reports of how other people have abused and mistreated children and adults, literally makes me want to throw up. So, when preparing for this devotional, the intensity of sorrow mixed with the anticipation of the joy that I know comes from what Jesus did, is almost too much to comprehend.
After Jesus’ arrest in the garden, John tells us that the band of men, the captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him. Then they took Him to Annas, the father in law to Caiaphas the high priest. Note, He was not led away to a jail cell to wait on the authorities, He was led to the authorities in the middle of the night to be condemned! The next day the high priest would be examining the animals that would be offered at the temple. Little did they know they had bound and examined the great and last sacrifice for the sins of mankind, the Lamb of God.
John 18:13 “And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.”
From the high priest Caiaphas, He would be taken to Pilate, then on to Herod. When Pilate heard he was a Galilean he was happy to pass Him off to Herod. Jesus had become a show to many when Herod saw Jesus, he was glad, because he wanted to see this man, he had heard about do some miracle.
Luke 23:3-8 “And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.”
When before Pilate Jesus was slapped, now before Herod, he was mocked and treated with contempt. They ridiculed him a placed a gorgeous robe on Him as a mockery. When their fun was over, they sent Him back to Pilate. Luke 23:10 says the chief priests and scribes were vehemently accusing Him. They were so full of themselves and their righteous indignation they didn’t know God was standing before them.
When Jesus was returned to Pilate, he found no fault in Jesus. He wanted to release Him, but the Jews insisted on his crucifixion. Pilate’s wife told him to have nothing to do with Jesus. She had been troubled in her dreams the night before however, Pilate gave in to the Jews and sentenced Him to death. He was beaten beyond recognition and mocked relentlessly for the truth.
Around mid-morning Jesus was forced to carry His cross to Golgotha. He was so weak from the beatings He could not carry it, so a man named Simon from Cyrene’s was summoned from the crowd to carry it for Him.
The Bible says the third hour, which would have been at 9:00 a.m., because the Jews started their day at 6:00 a.m., that Jesus was placed on the cross. The soldiers divided His clothes and Jesus prays for them.
Mark 15:24-25 “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.”
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Jesus was praying for His accusers and those who were sitting at His feet dividing the robe that Herod had placed on Him. He wore a crown they had made from a bush that had long thorns. Thorns that were probably an inch to two inches long. This had been pushed down into the skull. He had been beaten before He was taken up the hill by a cat of nine tails. This would have been a stick that had strings of leather attached, with shards of glass and pieces of metal tied at the end. This was used to beat him and each time you pulled the whip back it would tear the flesh away from the back. The humiliation was elevated more by crucifying him naked. Pilate had placed a sign above Jesus that read “This is the King of the Jews.” Probably the only truth that was used by them that day. He hung between two wretched criminals, one which joined in the crowd by mocking Jesus, but the other defended Jesus and believed Jesus was the Son of God. Because of His belief, Jesus forgave Him and told Him today he would be with Him in Paradise.
Luke 23:42-43 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
At noon, the sixth hour, there was an earthquake, and darkness was over the entire earth for three hours. At this same time, the veil in the temple tore from the top to the bottom. This was signifying that no longer would there be a need for a priest to mediate between man and God. Now, Jesus Christ would be our mediator, we could have direct access to the Father through the Son. Jesus then cries with a loud voice, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.” His accusers must have thought this was the end, but it was only the beginning.
Luke 23:44-49 “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
This sacrifice was a willing Lamb that was slain for my sins. Jesus endured much more than this page could hold. There were those that spit on Him, mocked Him, beat Him, tortured Him, and lied about Him, but He never gave in to the physical feelings He had. He endured so that we could be forgiven for our sin debt. A debt we owed but could not pay. I think above all the torture and humiliation, the worst pain was felt when His Father, holy, and perfect turned His back on His own Son because a Holy God could not look upon sin. The only time they were ever separated was because of their love for us.
This day ended with His followers puzzled, hurt, and afraid. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, and because of the hour of the day, His own mother could not accompany His body and give Him a proper burial. The events and pain of that day were almost more than His disciples and family could endure, yet we know the rest of the story. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.
