St. John - session 10
Level 1
In the Christian World this day (April 18, 2003) was called "God's Friday" in
the old English language. Later it became known as "Good" Friday. We honor this
day as we remember the sacrificial gift of the physical life of Jesus. Many
churches have three hour services to commemorate the agony of the time that
Jesus was nailed to the cross.
On that fateful morning, over two thousand years ago, Jesus was led from the
house of Chiaphas (the high priest) to the palace of the Roman Governor. Pilate
came out to meet Him. (Pontius Pilate served as the Roman Prefect, or Governor
of Judea. He was set up by Rome to keep order in this region, as all of Judea
was under Roman authority.)
Pilate had found bloody resistance to the tough decisions of his rule. Later,
he would be removed from office because he could NOT stop the riots. He must
have wanted the problem with this man they called a blasphemer to be settled
quickly, before Rome heard about it. There was a great deal of friction between
the Jewish leaders and the crowd that had followed Jesus into the city.
the old English language. Later it became known as "Good" Friday. We honor this
day as we remember the sacrificial gift of the physical life of Jesus. Many
churches have three hour services to commemorate the agony of the time that
Jesus was nailed to the cross.
On that fateful morning, over two thousand years ago, Jesus was led from the
house of Chiaphas (the high priest) to the palace of the Roman Governor. Pilate
came out to meet Him. (Pontius Pilate served as the Roman Prefect, or Governor
of Judea. He was set up by Rome to keep order in this region, as all of Judea
was under Roman authority.)
Pilate had found bloody resistance to the tough decisions of his rule. Later,
he would be removed from office because he could NOT stop the riots. He must
have wanted the problem with this man they called a blasphemer to be settled
quickly, before Rome heard about it. There was a great deal of friction between
the Jewish leaders and the crowd that had followed Jesus into the city.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/8/26685224/9216715.jpg?428)
Please read Pilate's interview with Jesus. (John 18:28-40, 19:1-16) Jesus reiterated, "My Kingdom is not of this world." Pilate refers to Jesus as "King of the Jews" which must have irritated the Jewish leaders beyond composure. It was the custom then to release one prisoner during a feast time in Jerusalem. Evidently trying to assuage his guilt, Pilate offered a choice to the Jewish priests and officials. He could either release Jesus or another prisoner named Barrabas. The shout rang out against Jesus; "Take him away, crucify him." (John 19:15)
It seems to me there was another reason for Pilate to feel that he shouldn't be the one to order the crucifixion. In Matthew 27:19, it is recorded that Pilate's wife sent word to him, "have nothing to do with that righteous man for I have suffered much over him today in a dream." After Jesus was led away, Pilate actually washed his hands in an attempt to escape the guilt, as if he had had no part in it. This is an expression used today . . . "I have washed my hands of it."
It seems to me there was another reason for Pilate to feel that he shouldn't be the one to order the crucifixion. In Matthew 27:19, it is recorded that Pilate's wife sent word to him, "have nothing to do with that righteous man for I have suffered much over him today in a dream." After Jesus was led away, Pilate actually washed his hands in an attempt to escape the guilt, as if he had had no part in it. This is an expression used today . . . "I have washed my hands of it."
Level 2
Often we hear about the "seven last words of Jesus". These are actually seven
phrases that Jesus uttered while undergoing the agony of the cross. Not all are
found in the same book of the Bible. Actually the phrase that is found most
often is one quoted most often.
1. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing," (found in Matt. 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:34)
Perhaps more than any other phrase, this shows the true character of Jesus, reflecting the great LOVE of God, who is able to forgive mankind of such a horrible crime.
2. "Today, you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
What encouragement to all who die "in the Lord"! Wherever Jesus is, we will be with Him. That was Jesus' final prayer for us, found in John 17.
3. "Woman, behold thy son." (John 19:26-27)
It is believed that John was the only disciple to witness the crucifixion. Jesus knew of His mother's need of someone to care for her, and He gave John that honor.
4. "My God, my god, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)
Many theologians emphasize that God, the Father, had to forsake His only Son, so that He could bear the full condemnation of judgment upon His own soul. That cry from the cross reveals the unspeakable punishment heaped upon all mankind, carried for our sake, by the ONLY person who could have chosen to take it—and the ONLY person who had the POWER and COURAGE to take it.
5. "I thirst". (John 19:28)
John recorded that a sponge, soaked in wine vinegar, was lifted to Jesus' lips. Of course, He was completely dehydrated, so this brought the end of His physical life. In the very next verse (30), Jesus said . . .
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)
Not just the ordeal of the cross was over, BUT the full completion of the sacrifice of Jesus was accomplished. He had born the full condemnation of the whole of mankind and His Spirit had survived! His was the ONE, TRUE, SOLITARY SACRIFICE.
7. "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
What a surge of relief!!!! All His Father had asked of Him had been accomplished.
phrases that Jesus uttered while undergoing the agony of the cross. Not all are
found in the same book of the Bible. Actually the phrase that is found most
often is one quoted most often.
1. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing," (found in Matt. 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:34)
Perhaps more than any other phrase, this shows the true character of Jesus, reflecting the great LOVE of God, who is able to forgive mankind of such a horrible crime.
2. "Today, you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
What encouragement to all who die "in the Lord"! Wherever Jesus is, we will be with Him. That was Jesus' final prayer for us, found in John 17.
3. "Woman, behold thy son." (John 19:26-27)
It is believed that John was the only disciple to witness the crucifixion. Jesus knew of His mother's need of someone to care for her, and He gave John that honor.
4. "My God, my god, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46)
Many theologians emphasize that God, the Father, had to forsake His only Son, so that He could bear the full condemnation of judgment upon His own soul. That cry from the cross reveals the unspeakable punishment heaped upon all mankind, carried for our sake, by the ONLY person who could have chosen to take it—and the ONLY person who had the POWER and COURAGE to take it.
5. "I thirst". (John 19:28)
John recorded that a sponge, soaked in wine vinegar, was lifted to Jesus' lips. Of course, He was completely dehydrated, so this brought the end of His physical life. In the very next verse (30), Jesus said . . .
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)
Not just the ordeal of the cross was over, BUT the full completion of the sacrifice of Jesus was accomplished. He had born the full condemnation of the whole of mankind and His Spirit had survived! His was the ONE, TRUE, SOLITARY SACRIFICE.
7. "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
What a surge of relief!!!! All His Father had asked of Him had been accomplished.
Editorial Aside
This is a lot to meditate on, but I will add a little more. Do you remember the uproar over a book called Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis? My son-in-law lent me a copy. I did NOT read it, but I glanced at enough of it to know the theme. The author wanted us to contemplate what would have happened IF JESUS HAD REFUSED THE "CUP". Jesus had said,
Father, take this cup from me . . . but not my will but yours be done. (Luke 22:42)
This gives one a lot of food for thought. What a different world we would be experiencing—IF THERE WAS EVEN A WORLD AT ALL.
This is a momentous time of the year for Christians. If you are NOT yet a Believer, please have patience with us. We are often OVERCOME as we relive in our own minds the suffering along with the stalwart determination of Jesus, even when His own Father deserted Him on purpose . . . with such a valuable purpose, and His COMPLETE VICTORY over death!! For some, this is far more meaningful than the celebration at Christmas time.
This is a momentous time of the year for Christians. If you are NOT yet a Believer, please have patience with us. We are often OVERCOME as we relive in our own minds the suffering along with the stalwart determination of Jesus, even when His own Father deserted Him on purpose . . . with such a valuable purpose, and His COMPLETE VICTORY over death!! For some, this is far more meaningful than the celebration at Christmas time.