This is not normal.
It is so dark. It's like the sun has ceased to be.
And these people. The constant coming and going. Normally it is just family. Why all these others? Why the priests?
The struggle is almost over. The guy doesn't have much energy left. He wouldn't even take the sour wine. Why would he refuse that? His pain must be driving him insane.
This just doesn't feel right.
Out of the thousands of these I have taken part in, this one is just plain spooky.
“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
What did he say? I didn't think he had a dad. His mother is here but I haven't seen a dad all day. Maybe he didn't care enough to be here.
Poor guy, his mind really is snapping.
“It is finished!”
What's finished?
So it's done then.
“Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
Showing posts with label Passion Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passion Week. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2014
Passion Week: The Mocking
King of the Jews they say.
Ha! The guy isn't the king of the dirt at the moment. I've never seen anyone so badly worked over as this guy. I'm surprised he lived long enough to be crucified. It's hard to look at.
“You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself!"
Wow! The crowd seems to be agitated today, but in a weird way. They seem to have something against this guy. Normally they're shooting and screaming at us, not the ones hanging. What's up with this?
"If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
Son of God? Who said anything about a son of god? I thought the charge was about being a king.
It's bad enough to be hanging from that thing but what's with all this hate? Oh, and they are here too. Don't often see the priests at these things. They are usually in the city causing problems for these poor saps. I have no idea why these people put up with them.
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save."
I haven't even heard of this guy. There hasn't been any riots in a few weeks. No uprising. No army marching on any of the garrisons. What king of king is this? And if he was their king, shouldn't this guy be their hero? This place makes no sense to me.
Looks like my buddies are getting in on the act.
“If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
I guess this job gets to a guy after a while. It's so boring. Normally we have to wait around 5 days and longer for them to finally die. I get a feeling this one is going to be different. He's practically dead now. I don't think he last 5 hours let alone 5 days. There isn't much left to him.
Why mock the dead? Wish they would just let him suffer in quiet.
“If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
This is a day of firsts. Even the other criminals are at him. He must have ticked someone off somewhere. Doesn't matter to me but it's a poor way to die.
Still ... who is this guy?
Ha! The guy isn't the king of the dirt at the moment. I've never seen anyone so badly worked over as this guy. I'm surprised he lived long enough to be crucified. It's hard to look at.
“You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself!"
Wow! The crowd seems to be agitated today, but in a weird way. They seem to have something against this guy. Normally they're shooting and screaming at us, not the ones hanging. What's up with this?
"If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
Son of God? Who said anything about a son of god? I thought the charge was about being a king.
It's bad enough to be hanging from that thing but what's with all this hate? Oh, and they are here too. Don't often see the priests at these things. They are usually in the city causing problems for these poor saps. I have no idea why these people put up with them.
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save."
I haven't even heard of this guy. There hasn't been any riots in a few weeks. No uprising. No army marching on any of the garrisons. What king of king is this? And if he was their king, shouldn't this guy be their hero? This place makes no sense to me.
Looks like my buddies are getting in on the act.
“If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
I guess this job gets to a guy after a while. It's so boring. Normally we have to wait around 5 days and longer for them to finally die. I get a feeling this one is going to be different. He's practically dead now. I don't think he last 5 hours let alone 5 days. There isn't much left to him.
Why mock the dead? Wish they would just let him suffer in quiet.
“If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
This is a day of firsts. Even the other criminals are at him. He must have ticked someone off somewhere. Doesn't matter to me but it's a poor way to die.
Still ... who is this guy?
Passion Week: The Cross
... he walked alone beneath his burden.
Simon was just trying to conclude his business here so he could start his journey home. He realized he didn't have much time. All business would be put on hold at sun set.
Tomorrow was the Passover celebration. Maybe at any other time he would be thrilled to be in Jerusalem at this time of the year but he had been a long time from home. He just wanted to be done with business so first thing next week he could strike out for home.
Now he had this crowd to get around. Apparently they had finally been able to put an end to this prophet that had everyone so excited. He had seen the Prophet once. He was in another town doing business. He actually saw him give sight back to a blind man. Pretty amazing. Too bad he had to cross the Pharisees like he did. It was bound to end poorly.
There! An opening in the crowd. He could cut through there and save a couple of minutes.
As he stepped through the crowd he froze in mid-step. As his eyes fell on the figure kneeling in the middle of the road, bent beneath the weight of a cross beam, his blood ran cold.
What had they done to him? Could this be the same man he saw in that town so long ago? Could this be the Prophet who gave sight to the blind?
Blood soaked his clothing and pooled on the ground where he knelt. Flesh hung loosely from his back. His hair was matted with blood. Blood covered his face and seemed to cloud his eyes. Well, at least they looked like eyes. It was hard to tell what that was beneath his swollen face. He looked more animal than man.
He should have just kept going but the sight had him transfixed. What could this poor man have done to deserve this?
Then a soldier on a horse called out to him, penetrating the back of his awareness and slowly exploded in on his reality. He looked to the soldier and to his horror realized that he had suddenly become a participant in this sideshow of death.
Before he knew it they had the cross beam tied on to him. He couldn't believe this. He should have avoided the crowd. Why hadn't he taken the longer route?
But as they were pressed to move on his thoughts turned from himself to the Prophet who staggered beside him. How could he go on like this? Why would he go on like this? Why not just refuse to move and let them kill him here instead of on the cross?
As weak as he was the Prophet seemed determined to do this.
The crowd was mixed. Some hurled insults at him, along with stones. Others stood and wept silently. Still others were shouting out words of support. What was it about this man that could provoke such reaction?
The walk was hard under this weight. It seemed to take forever. Any hope that there was of concluding his business was quickly slipping away. But for some reason it seemed to be less important. This Prophet was heading to his death and all he was concerned about was getting his business finished with? When had he lost his humanity? His compassion?
When they arrived at the designated spot he was exhausted. How could they have hoped that this man could have carried this thing in his condition?
They had it off his back soon enough and he was prepared to rush off to see what he could get done, but something stopped him. Something kept him fixed on this man who even now seemed like no other man he had ever encountered.
He stepped back into the first row of onlookers just as they threw the Prophet down onto the cross piece. As his back hit the ground he arched in pain. With no thought at all the soldiers grabbed his arms, tying him down and then nailed him in place, as if they were bored with the whole thing. The sound of the nails going through flesh and bone was sickening but he could not turn away.
Besides the weeping that came from some of the women near by a hush had fallen over the crowd. That's the only way it was possible to hear his words. And everyone heard them. Everyone seemed shocked, even disturbed by them. There he was, half beaten to death, laid out on the ground, being nailed to a cross beam and everyone heard him say:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
What? Who was this man?
With that they hoisted him up, fixing him in place. Above his head they nailed a sign that referred to him as the king of the Jews. Was it possible? Is that why they had killed him? With that the wailing began in earnest.
Simon melted into the crowd with the image of the Prophet forever burned into his memory. As he broke free he began to run. He couldn't explain why he ran, he just did. He wanted to be as far from that cursed place as quickly as he could.
What had they just done? ...
Simon was just trying to conclude his business here so he could start his journey home. He realized he didn't have much time. All business would be put on hold at sun set.
Tomorrow was the Passover celebration. Maybe at any other time he would be thrilled to be in Jerusalem at this time of the year but he had been a long time from home. He just wanted to be done with business so first thing next week he could strike out for home.
Now he had this crowd to get around. Apparently they had finally been able to put an end to this prophet that had everyone so excited. He had seen the Prophet once. He was in another town doing business. He actually saw him give sight back to a blind man. Pretty amazing. Too bad he had to cross the Pharisees like he did. It was bound to end poorly.
There! An opening in the crowd. He could cut through there and save a couple of minutes.
As he stepped through the crowd he froze in mid-step. As his eyes fell on the figure kneeling in the middle of the road, bent beneath the weight of a cross beam, his blood ran cold.
What had they done to him? Could this be the same man he saw in that town so long ago? Could this be the Prophet who gave sight to the blind?
Blood soaked his clothing and pooled on the ground where he knelt. Flesh hung loosely from his back. His hair was matted with blood. Blood covered his face and seemed to cloud his eyes. Well, at least they looked like eyes. It was hard to tell what that was beneath his swollen face. He looked more animal than man.
He should have just kept going but the sight had him transfixed. What could this poor man have done to deserve this?
Then a soldier on a horse called out to him, penetrating the back of his awareness and slowly exploded in on his reality. He looked to the soldier and to his horror realized that he had suddenly become a participant in this sideshow of death.
Before he knew it they had the cross beam tied on to him. He couldn't believe this. He should have avoided the crowd. Why hadn't he taken the longer route?
But as they were pressed to move on his thoughts turned from himself to the Prophet who staggered beside him. How could he go on like this? Why would he go on like this? Why not just refuse to move and let them kill him here instead of on the cross?
As weak as he was the Prophet seemed determined to do this.
The crowd was mixed. Some hurled insults at him, along with stones. Others stood and wept silently. Still others were shouting out words of support. What was it about this man that could provoke such reaction?
The walk was hard under this weight. It seemed to take forever. Any hope that there was of concluding his business was quickly slipping away. But for some reason it seemed to be less important. This Prophet was heading to his death and all he was concerned about was getting his business finished with? When had he lost his humanity? His compassion?
When they arrived at the designated spot he was exhausted. How could they have hoped that this man could have carried this thing in his condition?
They had it off his back soon enough and he was prepared to rush off to see what he could get done, but something stopped him. Something kept him fixed on this man who even now seemed like no other man he had ever encountered.
He stepped back into the first row of onlookers just as they threw the Prophet down onto the cross piece. As his back hit the ground he arched in pain. With no thought at all the soldiers grabbed his arms, tying him down and then nailed him in place, as if they were bored with the whole thing. The sound of the nails going through flesh and bone was sickening but he could not turn away.
Besides the weeping that came from some of the women near by a hush had fallen over the crowd. That's the only way it was possible to hear his words. And everyone heard them. Everyone seemed shocked, even disturbed by them. There he was, half beaten to death, laid out on the ground, being nailed to a cross beam and everyone heard him say:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
What? Who was this man?
With that they hoisted him up, fixing him in place. Above his head they nailed a sign that referred to him as the king of the Jews. Was it possible? Is that why they had killed him? With that the wailing began in earnest.
Simon melted into the crowd with the image of the Prophet forever burned into his memory. As he broke free he began to run. He couldn't explain why he ran, he just did. He wanted to be as far from that cursed place as quickly as he could.
What had they just done? ...
Passion Week: The Soldiers
... he stood before the soldiers.
What had he ever done to deserve this posting? His brother got to fight in the wars against the barbarians and here he was stuck; nurse-maid in this lousy province. He couldn't wait until troop rotation took place. It had been over ten years since he had last seen Rome.
If it wasn't for the distraction these prisoners provided he would go crazy with boredom.
He looked over the latest unfortunate victim. Looks like he had already met the wrong end of a spear or two. Someone had worked him over pretty good. He looked tired. Better than what he would look by the time his friends had finished with him.
He wondered what his story was. Probably some political thing. Better not to know. It really didn't matter by the time they were handed over to the soldiers; flesh was flesh, regardless of what it was before.
Already his buddies were beginning the fun. There would be some shoving, mocking, a bit of mind games. Then they would strip him down and begin with the fists. After they tired of hitting him they would start in on the whips and chains. That's when it would really get messy.
He would rather be out fighting against other soldiers. At least then it was a fair fight. What they did here was just entertainment. He still didn't have a stomach for the scourging. He was a seasoned soldier but it was too hard to see a man's flesh ripped from his back like that.
He looked over the prisoner again as the first fist landed squarely on his jaw. His buddies are bowing to him as if he were a king. This, a king? Ha! Doesn't matter much now what he claimed to be.
He heard a deep rasping laugh escape from his mouth as his fist proved to be the fifth one to find its mark. He actually allowed himself to smile as his blow sent the prisoner falling onto his back. In about an hour there wouldn't be much left of that back.
He stood over him, pondering what tomorrow would bring.
Poor guy. It didn't matter much any more what he had claimed to be.
He would be dead soon enough ...
What had he ever done to deserve this posting? His brother got to fight in the wars against the barbarians and here he was stuck; nurse-maid in this lousy province. He couldn't wait until troop rotation took place. It had been over ten years since he had last seen Rome.
If it wasn't for the distraction these prisoners provided he would go crazy with boredom.
He looked over the latest unfortunate victim. Looks like he had already met the wrong end of a spear or two. Someone had worked him over pretty good. He looked tired. Better than what he would look by the time his friends had finished with him.
He wondered what his story was. Probably some political thing. Better not to know. It really didn't matter by the time they were handed over to the soldiers; flesh was flesh, regardless of what it was before.
Already his buddies were beginning the fun. There would be some shoving, mocking, a bit of mind games. Then they would strip him down and begin with the fists. After they tired of hitting him they would start in on the whips and chains. That's when it would really get messy.
He would rather be out fighting against other soldiers. At least then it was a fair fight. What they did here was just entertainment. He still didn't have a stomach for the scourging. He was a seasoned soldier but it was too hard to see a man's flesh ripped from his back like that.
He looked over the prisoner again as the first fist landed squarely on his jaw. His buddies are bowing to him as if he were a king. This, a king? Ha! Doesn't matter much now what he claimed to be.
He heard a deep rasping laugh escape from his mouth as his fist proved to be the fifth one to find its mark. He actually allowed himself to smile as his blow sent the prisoner falling onto his back. In about an hour there wouldn't be much left of that back.
He stood over him, pondering what tomorrow would bring.
Poor guy. It didn't matter much any more what he had claimed to be.
He would be dead soon enough ...
Passion Week: Condemned
... he stood before Pilate.
By the looks of it, he didn't have an easy time of it with Herod. Maybe the robe was a bit much. The poor guy. I wonder if he really thinks it is all still worth it.
So, he's back and I need to do something about this. I have no real crime to charge him with. It's not like he led some revolt or even spoke about overthrowing Rome. There is nothing except this claim to be king. Am I suppose to crucify every madman in Israel?
Now my wife is at me, something about a bad dream. That's not like her. She's never tried to interfere with official Rome business. I really don't have a good feeling about this man or this situation.
But there is this thing about releasing a prisoner for their Passover. Surely if this man is as popular as Caiaphas would have me believe then it should be no problem to have this matter dealt with. If I give them a choice between a murderer and a prophet surely they will choose their beloved prophet, even if he is a madman.
It looks like everyone is ready.
“Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
What's this? Another message from his wife? In the middle of this?
He read: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Meanwhile he did not notice the chief priests of this land weaving through the crowd, whispering, gesturing. It seemed all too much for Pilate. The priests, Herod, his wife. What was it about this man? He just wanted the whole thing to be over with.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
“Barabbas.”
By the looks of it, he didn't have an easy time of it with Herod. Maybe the robe was a bit much. The poor guy. I wonder if he really thinks it is all still worth it.
So, he's back and I need to do something about this. I have no real crime to charge him with. It's not like he led some revolt or even spoke about overthrowing Rome. There is nothing except this claim to be king. Am I suppose to crucify every madman in Israel?
Now my wife is at me, something about a bad dream. That's not like her. She's never tried to interfere with official Rome business. I really don't have a good feeling about this man or this situation.
But there is this thing about releasing a prisoner for their Passover. Surely if this man is as popular as Caiaphas would have me believe then it should be no problem to have this matter dealt with. If I give them a choice between a murderer and a prophet surely they will choose their beloved prophet, even if he is a madman.
It looks like everyone is ready.
“Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
What's this? Another message from his wife? In the middle of this?
He read: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Meanwhile he did not notice the chief priests of this land weaving through the crowd, whispering, gesturing. It seemed all too much for Pilate. The priests, Herod, his wife. What was it about this man? He just wanted the whole thing to be over with.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
“Barabbas.”
What? Did he really hear them right? Did they really call for the release of the murderer? Maybe they don't understand what this means for Jesus.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?”
“Crucify him!”
He stopped breathing.
How can this be right? These people are calling for the crucifixion of one of their own? He'd never heard of such a thing.
He gave Jesus a sideways glance. What is it about this man?
“Why? What crime has he committed?”
I have to reason with them.
“Crucify him!”
The crowd was getting out of hand. If he didn't do something quickly he could lose control here. That's all he needed. Better this man die than to have to deal with a riot.
Well, everyone is guilty of something.
“I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!”
“Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
Whoa! This is getting a bit much.
Looking to the guard he nodded. As they led Jesus away he washed his hands in front of the crowd to make sure they got the message.
As he watched this tragic figure leave, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of sadness.
What does it matter? I did what I could...
Passion Week: He Stood Before Herod
... he stood in front of Herod.
What a thrill! At last Jesus was right in front of him. How long was it that he had tried to see this man? He had heard so much about what he was able to do.
The blind had sight.
The lame were up and about.
People who were dead were returned to their families, alive and well.
Ever since he was a kid and was taught about the great miracles of God he had wanted to see some proof of this power. How disappointing it was as an adult not to find any proof of God at all, any where, in any form.
But now that this man of miracles was here it was so disappointing. He won't even speak. Not a word. He won't even acknowledge where he is. This was crazy.
"Come on Jesus, I'm even willing to pay you something."
Silence
"I can fix this thing with Pilate. Give you a room in my palace? Give you a monthly allowance?"
Silence
"Come on, tell me how you do it. Is it some trick of hand? Do you pay the people something? Does it take a lot to fool the crowds or does their imagination make up most of it?"
Silence
"Do you really want us to believe that you are God? Come on, you don't look like very much to me. Not very powerful. You can't even get out of this mess you're in let alone create a mountain."
Silence
"He's trying to take your crown King Herod."
That of course was the Chief Priest. He was usually such a spoiler of fun, not very kind at all.
"Not only does he claim to be the Son of God, he also claims to be the king, greater than you king Herod."
Somehow the way he said his name made him want him to vomit. Regardless, he was proving to be more entertaining than this so-called prophet.
"Come on Jesus, do a little dance for us. Maybe stand on your head. Come on, just make the water here ripple a little bit. I'm told you have the power to stop storms. What's a little ripple?"
Silence
Maybe I will let the guards have a go. This really is getting boring.
Maybe there is no God.
Silence ...
What a thrill! At last Jesus was right in front of him. How long was it that he had tried to see this man? He had heard so much about what he was able to do.
The blind had sight.
The lame were up and about.
People who were dead were returned to their families, alive and well.
Ever since he was a kid and was taught about the great miracles of God he had wanted to see some proof of this power. How disappointing it was as an adult not to find any proof of God at all, any where, in any form.
But now that this man of miracles was here it was so disappointing. He won't even speak. Not a word. He won't even acknowledge where he is. This was crazy.
"Come on Jesus, I'm even willing to pay you something."
Silence
"I can fix this thing with Pilate. Give you a room in my palace? Give you a monthly allowance?"
Silence
"Come on, tell me how you do it. Is it some trick of hand? Do you pay the people something? Does it take a lot to fool the crowds or does their imagination make up most of it?"
Silence
"Do you really want us to believe that you are God? Come on, you don't look like very much to me. Not very powerful. You can't even get out of this mess you're in let alone create a mountain."
Silence
"He's trying to take your crown King Herod."
That of course was the Chief Priest. He was usually such a spoiler of fun, not very kind at all.
"Not only does he claim to be the Son of God, he also claims to be the king, greater than you king Herod."
Somehow the way he said his name made him want him to vomit. Regardless, he was proving to be more entertaining than this so-called prophet.
"Come on Jesus, do a little dance for us. Maybe stand on your head. Come on, just make the water here ripple a little bit. I'm told you have the power to stop storms. What's a little ripple?"
Silence
Maybe I will let the guards have a go. This really is getting boring.
Maybe there is no God.
Silence ...
Passion Week: Pilate
... he stood before Pilate.
What is this mess now? There is no end of it from these people and so early in the morning. Well, let's see what they've dragged in today.
“What charges are you bringing against this man?”
“If he were not a criminal we would not have handed him over to you.”
These fools. Do they not realize that I could do away with the lot of them. But no, that may cause a riot. This lot in Israel would riot if I stepped on a bug. The orders from Rome is to maintain the peace. Rome is so tired of this bunch constantly stirring up trouble.
“Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone.”
True enough. Oh what a headache this is.
He stepped back into the building and called for the man to be brought to him.
As he came in he saw for himself how much this man was hated, or should he not instead conclude that he was feared. Bruised and bloodied he stood there, very much looking the part of a proud king standing trial in a foreign land. There was something about this man that disturbed him.
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
Simple enough question. Let's get it done and over with.
“Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”
What? Has this man no fear of who I am?
“Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!”
Now we are getting down to it. So they are afraid of his claim as king.
“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Testify to truth? Ha!
“What is truth?”
Did he say that out loud? Oops.
There is something strange about this man. I can understand why these sniffling weak willed leaders would be afraid of a man like this. Still, there is nothing here to find this man guilty.
Pilate stepped back outside. There they stood, anxiously waiting for his judgement. They acted as if their lives depended on this. Of what were they so afraid? What a headache so early in the morning.
“I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
“He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”
Oh bother. They were really going to force his hand with this one.
Wait a second! Did they just say Galilee? This man is a Galilean? He doesn't act like any Galilean that I have known. Still, he is one of Herod's. Good. I believe that puppet king is in town for the big celebration this week.
As he turned away from them he tried to hide his growing grin.
I wish all problems were this easy to handle.
He rushed inside to make the transfer arrangements ...
What is this mess now? There is no end of it from these people and so early in the morning. Well, let's see what they've dragged in today.
“What charges are you bringing against this man?”
“If he were not a criminal we would not have handed him over to you.”
These fools. Do they not realize that I could do away with the lot of them. But no, that may cause a riot. This lot in Israel would riot if I stepped on a bug. The orders from Rome is to maintain the peace. Rome is so tired of this bunch constantly stirring up trouble.
“Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone.”
True enough. Oh what a headache this is.
He stepped back into the building and called for the man to be brought to him.
As he came in he saw for himself how much this man was hated, or should he not instead conclude that he was feared. Bruised and bloodied he stood there, very much looking the part of a proud king standing trial in a foreign land. There was something about this man that disturbed him.
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
Simple enough question. Let's get it done and over with.
“Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”
What? Has this man no fear of who I am?
“Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!”
Now we are getting down to it. So they are afraid of his claim as king.
“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Testify to truth? Ha!
“What is truth?”
Did he say that out loud? Oops.
There is something strange about this man. I can understand why these sniffling weak willed leaders would be afraid of a man like this. Still, there is nothing here to find this man guilty.
Pilate stepped back outside. There they stood, anxiously waiting for his judgement. They acted as if their lives depended on this. Of what were they so afraid? What a headache so early in the morning.
“I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
“He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”
Oh bother. They were really going to force his hand with this one.
Wait a second! Did they just say Galilee? This man is a Galilean? He doesn't act like any Galilean that I have known. Still, he is one of Herod's. Good. I believe that puppet king is in town for the big celebration this week.
As he turned away from them he tried to hide his growing grin.
I wish all problems were this easy to handle.
He rushed inside to make the transfer arrangements ...
Passion Week: The Mock Trial
... and there he stood before Caiaphas.
What members of the Sanhedrin that could be quickly assembled were also present. There were enough at least for quorum. Of course they were the most loyal supporters of the High Priest.
Before them stood Jesus, the greatest threat that this Sanhedrin had ever faced.
It was not just his radical teaching and the crowds that followed him. Why would they follow this man who looked more like a beggar than anything else. They adored him but what about them. Did the people not realize how important they were? How hard they worked to keep this difficult nation together.
First it was the Greeks and their alluring culture with all their idols. So many people had fallen in love with this culture. It was hard to protect people from this.
Then it was the Romans, with their military might. Their authority threatened the work of the Pharisees, to keep this nation in line. What was Roman rule compared to the Law of Moses? A bunch of thugs is all they are.
But still, they must walk the line or they all might be found hanging on those blasted crosses, like common thieves and murderers. And that's why they were here. Not only did this Jesus threaten the Law and rob them of the adoration of the people, he also threatened to disturb the balance with the Romans.
After all, it was Caiaphas himself who said it was better for the one to die for the many.
Why was it so difficult to find two people to agree on what he said. Surely there must be something here to justify his arrest.
Wait what is this?
Finally two people are agreeing on something. What? They're saying that this lunatic claimed to be able to tear down the great Temple and build it again in three days? Three Days!!! Madness.
Hey, Caiaphas likes this.
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
Silence.
Is this man a fool as well as a lunatic?
“I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Whoa! Where did that come from? Does Caiaphas think him that great a fool that he would answer such a charge?
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
What? Blaspheme. He can't speak like this! Death!!!
Look at the chaos that he has caused. Caiaphas is tearing his tunic!!!!
“He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
Kill him!
Death!
Stone him!
A great chorus is arising.
Everyone is rushing forward. Fists and hands are reaching out to strike this blasphemer. Ha! He is being struck again and again. Spit is flying. The chorus of shouts for his death continues to rise.
Caiaphas looks very pleased.
This went better than he had hoped ...
What members of the Sanhedrin that could be quickly assembled were also present. There were enough at least for quorum. Of course they were the most loyal supporters of the High Priest.
Before them stood Jesus, the greatest threat that this Sanhedrin had ever faced.
It was not just his radical teaching and the crowds that followed him. Why would they follow this man who looked more like a beggar than anything else. They adored him but what about them. Did the people not realize how important they were? How hard they worked to keep this difficult nation together.
First it was the Greeks and their alluring culture with all their idols. So many people had fallen in love with this culture. It was hard to protect people from this.
Then it was the Romans, with their military might. Their authority threatened the work of the Pharisees, to keep this nation in line. What was Roman rule compared to the Law of Moses? A bunch of thugs is all they are.
But still, they must walk the line or they all might be found hanging on those blasted crosses, like common thieves and murderers. And that's why they were here. Not only did this Jesus threaten the Law and rob them of the adoration of the people, he also threatened to disturb the balance with the Romans.
After all, it was Caiaphas himself who said it was better for the one to die for the many.
Why was it so difficult to find two people to agree on what he said. Surely there must be something here to justify his arrest.
Wait what is this?
Finally two people are agreeing on something. What? They're saying that this lunatic claimed to be able to tear down the great Temple and build it again in three days? Three Days!!! Madness.
Hey, Caiaphas likes this.
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
Silence.
Is this man a fool as well as a lunatic?
“I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Whoa! Where did that come from? Does Caiaphas think him that great a fool that he would answer such a charge?
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
What? Blaspheme. He can't speak like this! Death!!!
Look at the chaos that he has caused. Caiaphas is tearing his tunic!!!!
“He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
Kill him!
Death!
Stone him!
A great chorus is arising.
Everyone is rushing forward. Fists and hands are reaching out to strike this blasphemer. Ha! He is being struck again and again. Spit is flying. The chorus of shouts for his death continues to rise.
Caiaphas looks very pleased.
This went better than he had hoped ...
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Passion Week: The Arrest
... and the chaos descended.
The disciples woke suddenly to the sound of voices and the noise of a crowd. People never looked for them here. How did the multitude track them down?
But as their eyes focused and they saw the Master speaking to this group of men, they could see that something was wrong. These men were armed and did not look friendly. As they rushed to their Master's side they heard their words:
Don't you think for a moment that anyone trapped the Master. Don't think for an instant that any one group is responsible for what happened. Jesus knew. He knew and he submitted himself to it. It was the plan. The Father's plan. No one took his life. He voluntarily, out of obedience, laid it down.
Just as he said he would.
Jesus reached out and touched the injured man. He healed his enemy.
Out of his great love God was reaching out. He was reaching out to his enemy, to heal them of their sickness.
To the crowd.
“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
With that the disciples of Jesus fled into the night.
Panic. Fear. Dread. Anxiety. Confusion. Numbness.
Into the unwelcoming cover of darkness.
And as they looked back over their shoulder, they saw the Master being led away...
The disciples woke suddenly to the sound of voices and the noise of a crowd. People never looked for them here. How did the multitude track them down?
But as their eyes focused and they saw the Master speaking to this group of men, they could see that something was wrong. These men were armed and did not look friendly. As they rushed to their Master's side they heard their words:
“Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I am he.”
Then suddenly this crowd of angry men fell backwards. The disciples could feel a great power of authority from their Master and they looked at him, bewildered.
That is when Judas stepped forward and greeted the Master. Where had he been? Why was he with these men? Then they heard Jesus again:
"Do what you have come to do."
Then everything went crazy.
The men quickly grabbed Jesus. Panic struck. The disciples tried to protect him. A sword appeared. An ear went flying. Cries. Screams. Fists. What was this? What had happened?
Then the Master's voice.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Don't you think for a moment that anyone trapped the Master. Don't think for an instant that any one group is responsible for what happened. Jesus knew. He knew and he submitted himself to it. It was the plan. The Father's plan. No one took his life. He voluntarily, out of obedience, laid it down.
Just as he said he would.
Jesus reached out and touched the injured man. He healed his enemy.
Out of his great love God was reaching out. He was reaching out to his enemy, to heal them of their sickness.
To the crowd.
“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
With that the disciples of Jesus fled into the night.
Panic. Fear. Dread. Anxiety. Confusion. Numbness.
Into the unwelcoming cover of darkness.
And as they looked back over their shoulder, they saw the Master being led away...
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