The Rest of the Story

The Rest of the Story…

What an incredible week that changed all of history. So much happened during these 7 days. We talked about Sunday - Wednesday on the post, “The Days Leading up to the Best Day Ever”. Now, let’s continue through some dark days so we can remember the BEST Day Ever!

Time is drawing near...

On the day of Passover, Jesus and the disciples sat down to eat what would become known as the Last Supper. As they did Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” They were filled with sorrow at the thought. As they were eating. Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it. He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and told them to drink of it - explaining that this represented His blood. He told Peter that even he would deny him 3 times later that night. Peter swore he wouldn’t. Then Jesus humbled himself and washed the disciples feet. He was setting an example for us to be humble and to love and to serve.

They left from their supper and went to the Garden of Gethsemane. As they entered he told them to sit and wait while he went to pray. Peter, James and John went with him. Jesus became sorrowful and asked these 3 to stay and watch. Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will.” (Does that break your heart? He was about to experience torture and excruciating pain on our behalf. He, who knew no sin, took on our sin. We should be filled with gratitude.) Remember the three who were supposed to be watching and praying? Well, they fell asleep and Jesus woke them up twice. It wasn’t long before Judas showed up with an angry mob led by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Notice on the pics in the Garden of Gethsemane - it is small & Jerusalem is just right there. Jesus would have heard them coming and could have fled.) Judas gave them a sign by kissing Jesus on the cheek. Then the mob grabbed Jesus to capture him. Peter reacted by grabbing his sword and cutting off one of their ears. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. He could have called 10,000 angels to free him, however he went willfully to fulfill the Scriptures.

He said to the angry crowd, ”Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Then Friday came. Now, we know it as Good Friday - but then, it was not a good day. It was a very dark day. Jesus had been arrested in the garden and was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance. Jesus was dropped into a pit and held as they held trial. These people were outraged and sought false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. They found none. Jesus kept silent. He was subjected to 6 trials. They beat Him and spat on Him and desperately tried to find some legal basis for condemning Him to death.

Three times - as Jesus had foretold - Peter denied knowing Jesus. I imagine he was terrified they would do to him what they were doing to Jesus. They handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate who was the governor of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. The Jews did not have authority to execute Jesus, so they needed Pilate to order it. Peter wept bitterly over his denial of Jesus. Judas realized what he had done, could not bear it and hung himself. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the "King of Jews". Jesus replied, "It is as you say." Pilate really did not want to crucify Jesus - there were no grounds for it; but the mob was out of control - screaming, "Crucify Him!" He asked them which one they would have him to release - Barabbas, a notorious murderer or Jesus. They called for him to release Barabbas. He asked what he should do with Jesus and again they replied, "Crucify Him!"

Pilate took water, washed his hands, and told the crowd, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." He scourged Jesus (had Him beaten - possibly hoping the crowd would show pity on Jesus and release Him. They did not.) The soldiers mocked Him, stripped Him, put a scarlet robe and crown of thorns on Him and a reed in His right hand. Then they carried out the cruelest form of execution - crucifixion. Jesus was too weak to carry His cross, so Simon of Cyrene carried it for Him to Golgotha or Skull Hill. They nailed His arms to a beam, hoisted Him up and fixed Him to a post, then nailed His feet. His body weight was supported by a peg. As He suffered, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. He hung on the cross between two robbers. The sight was close to the road where many would see. Jesus obediently followed God's plan for Him - even to the point of death.

Even after all they had done to Him, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." Darkness fell across the land. This was a supernatural occurrence. Can you imagine how watching His Son endure such pain and suffering must have grieved the heart of God? Jesus cried out (quoting from Psalm 22 and possibly alluding to a great victory), "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Jesus cried out and yielded up His spirit.

The death of Jesus is brutal and it is hard to see the good. But the Good part is what came as a result - "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom". The blood of Jesus - the sacrificial lamb - had been spilled out to atone our sins. Now, God had opened up access to Himself through His Son. That means that YOU have access to God. You can have reconciliation to the Father because of what the Son has done. You can have a personal relationship with Him. Now that is GOOD NEWS! This is Good Friday!

Saturday was a dark day. Jesus had been arrested, beaten and murdered by the cruel act of crucifixion. He was dead. The disciples had scattered and were hiding in fear. I imagine they could hardly believe what had happened - Jesus was gone, Judas had betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, they all failed Him and their hope was depleted. It is easy for us to read about these events and judge these 12 men. But maybe we should stop and think about all the ways we fail Him personally. We have God’s word put into a book by many of these men, we have been taught what they had to live to learn and yet, we still fail to live as if we truly understand who Jesus is.

After the earthquake and the darkness came, the centurion and those with him said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James & Joses, and Mary the mother of James & John, were looking from afar. A wealthy man named Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He wrapped His body in clean linen and laid Him in his new tomb.

Now it was the next day and again the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and told him that Jesus had said, “After 3 days I will rise.” They decided to make the tomb as secure as possible “just in case”. They sealed the stone and set the guard.

On the 3rd day there was a great earthquake, an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled the stone back from the door and sat on it. He was “like lightning and his clothing as white as snow”. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary witnessed this. The angel told them to not be afraid. “HE IS NOT HERE; FOR HE IS RISEN.”  He instructed them to Go and Tell the disciples, Jesus will meet you in Galilee. (Go and Tell - our divine order: to tell others the good news about Jesus.)

Meanwhile, the soldiers who witnessed this shook with fear. They ran to report it to the chief priests. They gave the guards money to tell people the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus. Peter and John ran to the tomb and found the linen cloths (that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body) lying there. The napkin that covered his face was folded and lying separately. (Jesus took the time to fold the napkin. Why? Could it be to send a message? A wadded up napkin signals “I’m done”, but a folded napkin indicates “I’ll be back”. One thing is for sure - not one word or one action was in vain.) 

The disciples knew and believed - Jesus is Risen. He had prophesied His death and resurrection in their presence, but they didn’t understand what He was talking about. Later, Jesus would explain how His life and death fulfilled the scriptures. During the 40 Days between His resurrection and His ascension into heaven, Jesus appeared 10-11 times to teach about the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus is alive! Right now today - He is alive and wants to spend time with you. He is not a fairytale - He is real. He died, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God. All of this He did so that we could have the hope of eternity with Him. He died for us and asks us to live for Him. 

He is alive! Let us come alive in Him!

Happy Easter. Enjoy today - but let’s remember to celebrate His resurrection every day of our life. 🙌🏻

HE IS RISEN! HALLELUJAH, HE IS ALIVE!

( Are you ready to live in the FREEDOM that salvation offers you? In case you missed it, you can participate in a free video series called, Unstuck. Most of us understand this place, regardless of what we call it - stuck, in a pit, complacent. God has a plan for you. If you are not stepping boldly into that plan, you might want to sign up so you can experience the MORE He came to offer you. Let’s get Unstuck! Click and sign up so you can receive encouragement to step into the purpose God has for you. This is a separate sign up. You must click the link and sign up to receive the videos.)

If you are not sure that you have believed on Jesus, today is a great day to do so! Sunday is coming! Hope is on it’s way! Hope has a name and His name is Jesus! He can be yours and you can be His. All you need to do is first confess that you are a sinner and cry out to Him and ask for forgiveness, feel your shame wash away. Acknowledge who He is and what He has done for you. Declare that you believe Jesus is the Messiah and that God sent Him so that if we believe on Him we could have everlasting life. He was crucified to be the sacrificial lamb for our sins, His blood covers us, washes us clean. He arose and ascended to the right hand of God. He lives! Ask Him into your heart, to sit on the throne of your life. Make Him your King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Tell others what you have done. Tell me! Then get busy getting to know Him. How? Read His Word, study it, talk to Him, listen to Him, grow to now Him more and more and more until you see Him face to face. (Plan of Salvation offers scriptures to help you know ask Jesus into your heart.)