Jesus’ Passion – Your Daily Encouragement

Seven Days 4

“The moment he died, the earth shuddered”

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

Friday

[It is still Friday night, and you watch John stir the fire and peer into the flame as he continues telling what he’s seen and heard…]

“Very early this morning, Jesus was taken before Annas, the High priest. They held a mock court, beat him, then sent him off to Caiaphas, then off to Pontius Pilate for sentencing. They said that Jesus had committed blasphemy by claiming to be the Messiah: and for that, they said, He must die.

Pilate sends him to Herod; Herod sends him back to Pilate.

There were so many other details from today that they could fill a book. But in the end, an innocent man was sentenced to execution…”

[John’s voice breaks as he continues]

“He was whipped, mocked and beaten. When I saw him being led down the street to the place of crucifixion, I barely recognized him. He was covered with blood and ripped raw from the whipping.

He was nailed to a cross on the hill of Golgotha—what a name: Golgotha—it means “skull.” A place of death.

Crucifixion is nothing new for us in Jerusalem. Zealots, thieves, robbers, all kinds of criminals have been hung on these cursed crosses.

But when a man you have spent three years with—a man who has shown you and told you things that could only have come from God, is nailed to this, this machine of torture…”

[you see John shake his head] “…and any moment, I suspect they will come for me.”

[John now looks up at the night sky]

“Yet Jesus told us this would happen.

I heard His words, but for some reason pushed them to the back of my mind—maybe in hopes that it would never really happen.

Even in his agony, he asked God to forgive His torturers, because they didn’t understand what they were doing.

Some were crying, some were shocked at what was happening to our Master. But some wouldn’t let him die in peace.

They kept taunting him by repeating things he had said, but all twisted around, to show him how much they hated him.”

[Now John looks you in the eye]

“Does that seem like a strong word? Hate?! These people were possessed with such a hatred that I have never seen.

We Hebrews speak our minds. We do not mince words. I have had many debates, with friends and enemies.

But I have never witnessed such rage—such intense hatred as I have today. It was as if the very Evil One possessed these people. They didn’t just want him dead, they wanted him to suffer in agony as long and hard as possible, then die.”

[John looks back at the fire, shrugging his shoulders.]

“While he was on the cross, he told me to take care of His mother.

Mary was there. I know how I felt, powerless to help a dying friend—how did she feel? What was going through her mind? And how can I take care of her, when my own future is uncertain? The authorities want to put a stop to all of us who were his disciples.

Then he said the words I’ll never forget:

‘It is finished; Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.’

“It is finished; Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

Then he bowed His head and died.

Just like that.

Crucifixion is not a quick death. Often it takes days for victims to die. It was as if…he chose when to die.

At the moment that he died, the earth shuddered—rocks split. Tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life and they came out of their tombs.

When the Roman commander and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and said,

‘He really was the Son of God!’

Today was an amazing day.

But there is no question about it. He is dead.

Since tomorrow is a High Holy Sabbath, the bodies were required by our law to be removed from the cross by nightfall. So, a short time later, the soldiers were sent to hasten the death of those hanging on the crosses.

The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves to speed their death. But when they came to Jesus, they found that he was already dead. To be sure, the soldier thrust his spear into Jesus’ side, and blood and water burst out of the wound. I saw this happen and I know its true. He is dead.

A man, Joseph, well-respected, and a secret follower of Jesus, asked to have His body so it might be buried properly. Joseph is a member of our ruling counsel and didn’t agree with the rest of them that Jesus should be crucified.

So, when he asked Pilate for the body, Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. To be certain, he sent for the Centurion onsite to see if it was so. The Centurion reported that Jesus was dead, so they removed his body from the cross, wrapping it quickly in strips of linen, with some spices, and then placed it in Joseph’s tomb to await proper burial on the first day of the week.

To be sure that no one would tamper with the tomb, Roman guards have been assigned for the next three days, and the tomb itself has been sealed with the seal of Rome.

I don’t know what will become of us. The authorities want no more trouble from the followers of Jesus…and if they are willing to do this to our master, what will they do to us?

But today seemed familiar. Being born and raised as one of God’s chosen people, I know the Law. I know the writings of the Prophets. I know how God tested Abraham and asked him to sacrifice Isaac on the mountain. At the last minute, God provided a substitute for Isaac. Abraham’s faith was proved true, and Isaac was safe.

For some reason I thought the same thing would happen today. I watched from the crowd—waiting—hoping that at any moment God would step in. That God would stop this mockery of justice…this sham. But it never happened.

God was silent.”

Day 5 continues here…

Image by msbritt from Pixabay

Seven Days 3

tonight we gather in the city to celebrate Passover

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

Thursday

The next day, Jesus sent us on an errand. Even now, it amazes me to think how he could know all that he knew—for example:

He sent James and me into Jerusalem to make the arrangements for Passover. Here were our instructions:

Jesus said, “As you are walking into the city, you will see a man coming toward you carrying a pot of water. Follow him. At the house he enters, tell the man in charge, ‘Our Teacher sent us to see the room you have made ready for us—where we’ll eat the Passover supper this evening.’

“He will take you upstairs to a large room that will be perfect for our needs. Prepare our Passover meal.”

You know, if Jesus had asked me to do this when I first started to follow him, I might have asked: “What if there is no man carrying water? And what if he doesn’t go into a house? And if he does go into a house, what if there is no upstairs?”

I’ve learned that it’s easier if I just do what he tells me to do.

So, we went into the city and found everything as Jesus had said, and prepared the Passover.

It was an amazing week.

That night we gathered together in that very room and took part in the feast of unleavened bread. During this part of Passover, the only bread to be eaten is unleavened. It is in remembrance of the unleavened Bread our ancestors ate as they hurried out of Egypt.

That evening, we were sitting at the table breaking and sharing the bread and remembering the powerful time of God’s deliverance of our forefathers from Egypt.

But when we prayed for the meal, it was different: Jesus told us that this bread was his body, which would be broken for us.

…I wasn’t sure what he meant then, but his body was broken today.

Then he poured the wine, and said that this wine was his blood—that it was the seal of the new covenant, which would be poured out for us.

And his blood was poured out today…

But what stunned all of us last night was when Jesus told us that one of us would betray him! I was shocked! “It’s not me, master, is it?” we all begin to say at once.

Andrew cried “It’s not me,” Nathaniel assured everyone of his honesty, and Peter said HE would never do something like that.

Then Peter challenged the rest of us: he wanted to know which of us would be cowardly enough to do such a thing?

One thing led to another and now we were arguing about who was the greatest among us. Again, Peter speaks up and mentions that, since Jesus had given the keys of heaven, that this counts for something!

I’m ashamed that we all joined in the argument.

But quietly, while none of us noticed, Jesus went into a corner of the room and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he brought a bowl of water over to where we were sitting, and he prepared to wash our feet.

This is a common custom in our land, but it is only done by the lowest of the low. He looked like a common slave! What was our Master doing?

He came up to Peter, and Peter said, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “What I’m doing may not make sense now, but later you will understand.”

“No!” said Peter. “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Peter’s expression instantly changed—“Well, then Lord, why stop at my feet? Wash my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus smiled and said, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; because his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

As he washed Peter’s feet, he said, “This is how you are to treat others. If I being your master serve you, then you ought to serve others as well.”

Then Jesus spoke to Peter and said, “Peter, Peter, Satan has desired to have all of you and split you apart as men sift wheat to separate the kernel from the chaff. But I am praying for you. Here is my new commandment for you:

“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”

“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”
John 13:34

His words stung and I couldn’t catch my breath. Just moments before, each of us was comparing ourselves to the other—and now I felt so small.

It was an amazing week.

But then Jesus said again, “It’s true though, one of you is going to betray me.” We were at a loss for words, because no one knew who it was he was talking about.

I was leaning against Jesus, since I was sitting closest to him, and Peter motioned to me with his head, as if to say, “Ask him which one of us it is.”

I leaned back and asked Jesus. He said it is the one to whom he would give a piece of bread. He took the bread and gave a piece to…Judas Iscariot. Immediately, a shadow came over Judas.

Jesus said, “Go, quickly. Take care of your business.”

None of us knew what Jesus meant but, since Judas had charge of the money box, we thought he had to get something for Passover, or give an offering to the poor.

Judas, with his head down, got up and left immediately. And as the door opened we all noticed, for the first time, how dark it had become outside.

After this, Jesus led us outside the city and we walked into an olive grove called Gethsemane.

In Hebrew, Gethsemane means “The Olive Press”—a place of crushing.

This garden is at the foot of the Mount of Olives. When the olives come off the mountain for harvest, the oil is pressed out of them here in this garden.

All of us followed him into the Garden, and he asked us to stay in a certain place while he went to pray.

Then he took Peter, James and me with him into the garden and he began to be in terrible distress. I could tell by the way He shook and carried himself. His movements seemed slow and difficult. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He told us to stay here and keep watch. As we did, he moved a bit further beyond us and fell to the ground where he prayed.

I heard him ask his Father, if it were possible, to let this cup of sorrow be taken away from him. Then he said, “But, Father, whatever it takes, I want to do your will, not mine.”

It seemed only moments later that he walked over to Peter and James and found them asleep. He told us we ought to stay awake and pray. He went away to pray again, said the same thing, and came back and found all of us asleep this time — and then he went to pray again and found us asleep a third time!

If you were there, would you have slept?! I’m ashamed to say that we did. there was so much going on, and we were all exhausted.

But all of a sudden, a crowd arrived with torches, and weapons—I was awake now. They were a group of soldiers—a regiment—of Temple guards and Roman soldiers, about six hundred in all. I was never so frightened in all my life.

Jesus stood up and Judas made his way out of the crowd, walked over to Jesus and kissed him. Then Judas stepped back…as if to join them.

What was Judas doing with this angry mob?!

All of a sudden Jesus stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, “Who are you looking for?”

Many of them said, at the same time, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I am.” Jesus said. When Jesus said, “I am,” the whole crowd drew back and fell to the ground.

I stood there with my mouth open!

Again Jesus asked them, “Who is it you want?” And some this time said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Now if I had not been so frightened, I might have laughed! It was a strange sight to see 600 soldiers and guards on their backs, struggling to get off each other, with Jesus asking them again, “Who are you looking for?”

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

I am telling you, it was an amazing week!

I did some quick math: it was about 50 to one—12 of us against 600 soldiers. I felt a surge of courage!

But before I could even move, Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and took a swing at the head of one of the men upfront, who was the servant of the high priest…the man’s name was Malchus.

Malchus dodged just in time, but Peter grazed his head, cutting his ear off.

But Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away! I must drink the cup the Father has given me.” And then Jesus reached out and healed the man’s ear. Even in this dark hour, Jesus cared for other people—even those who despised him.

Then Jesus allowed the soldiers with their commander and the officials to arrest him. They tied him with ropes, cinching them tightly.

What cowards.

A man who was surrounded 600 to 1, bound and led away like a common criminal.

Jesus called my brother James and me Sons of Thunder.

I didn’t feel too thunderous just then.

Feelings are a funny thing, aren’t they? One minute you’re ready to take on the world—the next, you’re running for your life.

And that’s what we did.

Day 4 continues here…

Image by Florian Kurz from Pixabay

Seven Days 2

have faith and do not doubt

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning we left Lazarus’ home to return to the Festival. We were walking back to Jerusalem to return to the temple when we passed the fig tree we had just seen the day before.

Yesterday it was green, with shoots growing from it, but now it was withered—dried out—from the roots up. How could such a thing happen in one day, we wondered? Peter said, “Teacher—look! The fig tree you cursed…it’s withered!”

Jesus said, “Listen carefully: have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, you could even say to that mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

We arrived in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, many of the religious authorities approached him. They asked him “By what authority are you doing these things?” “And who gave you authority to do this?”

Jesus replied, “Let me ask you a question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’….”

The truth was, they feared the people, for everyone said that John really was a prophet.

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Then a group of Pharisees and followers of Herod questioned Jesus about the payment of taxes to Caesar. It struck me as odd that these two were on the same side of anything, because each of these detested the other.

The Herodians, who were supporters of the Roman government of the Herods, detested the hypocritical Pharisees. And the Pharisees had nothing in common with Herodians—they hated their Roman overlords.

So the Pharisees didn’t want the Roman tax; but the Herodians did. The two came together to trap Jesus the same way two hunters would corner an animal.

They said smilingly, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

But Jesus saw right through them.

“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” He asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s” they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, “Give fully to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God fully what is His.”

Jesus was amazing!

After that there were questions about marriage and heaven, the resurrection; the greatest commandment.

As I watched Jesus speak with the religious authorities, it was as if he were real and they weren’t…it was as if he were a master painter—his words were like beautiful, lucid strokes of truth—true truth! Words that burned in the hearts of everyone there…everyone but the religious hypocrites. Their words were filled with guile & insincerity.

It was as if Jesus knew what the questions would be before they were even asked. But then He asked them a question:

He said: “Tell me, what do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

“So,” Jesus said “how is it then that David—speaking by the Spirit—calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”

For the first time, these questioners had nothing to say!

A HUGE crowd had gathered and were drinking it in. They loved it! It was an amazing week!

After that, Jesus warned the Pharisees and scribes of the danger that would come on Jerusalem.

As we were in the Temple, there was a huge group of people with us. These people saw Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead. These same people were spreading the word about Jesus at Passover. Many people, because they had heard this, came out to meet him.

This made the Pharisees livid. They said to each other, “Look, this is getting us nowhere. The whole world is going after him!”

Even gentiles crowded in to speak with him. When this happened, Jesus said “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Immediately after He said this, Jesus became distressed. He prayed out loud to God the Father:

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, ‘Father, save me from what is coming’? This is the very reason I have come! Father, bring glory and honor to your name.”

And to everyone’s amazement, God spoke back to Him!

I heard Him! He said “I have already done this, and I will do it again.”

Now, some who were there in the temple said it was only thunder, and others said it was an angel, but I know what I heard. It was the same voice I heard on the mountain when Jesus shone like there was sunlight coming out of Him.

On that mountain, God said, to us: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

I know it was God speaking to Him because I recognized His voice.

It was an amazing week.

Jesus told the crowd that darkness would be falling soon, and that they ought to trust in the light, while the light was with them.

We had no idea it would be so soon.

Wednesday

The Passover was still a couple of days away, so at sunset on Wednesday we returned to Bethany for dinner.

We were guests at the home of Simon the Leper—or should I say former leper, because Jesus healed him of that incurable disease.

As we were dining together, Mary poured the rest of this extremely expensive perfume on Jesus for the second time in one week, Only this time she didn’t just put it on his feet, instead, she poured it over His head.

Judas Iscariot said “do you know how expensive that is? This is a total waste. Why was’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

When Judas said this, we all found ourselves mumbling in agreement with him — we had no idea what Satan had put into his heart.

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why criticize her for doing a good thing? You always have the poor among you, and you can aid them whenever you want; but I won’t be with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body ahead of time for burial.”

I think that was the last straw for Judas.

As I think about it, whenever the master would teach us, Judas would sit in the back and look through the moneybox. Lately, it seemed like the only two things he showed any interest in was money and revolution against the Roman government.

None of us liked the Romans, or the way they mistreated us. But Judas thought Jesus was on the wrong track. Judas would have been happier planning and carrying out something violent, or revolutionary.

But when Jesus taught, his descriptions of the Kingdom of God were amazing! Everyone who came to hear him hung on every word. When he painted a picture of God’s kingdom, and God’s justice and His power, we were transported to another place.

But Judas? He had no idea what Jesus was talking about. By the look in his eyes, you could tell he was off somewhere opposing Rome, or running coins through his fingers.

Day 3 Continues here…

Image by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay

Just In Case You Ever Wonder…

…”God, where are you?”

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. —1 John 3:1

Everyone experiences low times. Difficulties. Doubts. It is in these moments, we sometimes wonder “God, where are you?”

If this question ever arises in your mind, or if you ever wonder how patient God’s love is, consider Jesus.

As the Son of God, he intentionally left the perfection of paradise preferring to be born and raised in the squalor of first-century Palestine. He gathered a group of disciples who feared for their lives and deserted him and hid when he died—but became bold as lions, and changed the world, after they saw him risen from the dead.

He would demonstrate to the world what God the Father is like, only to be intentionally misrepresented and betrayed to death.

Still, it was all part of God’s love for you.

He was scourged with a lead tipped, multi-strip whip that was meant to inflict maximum damage on the back. Not only did it bruise, but it took flesh with it when it was pulled back, weakening any resistance. After this whipping, he was mocked, slandered and framed.

His torturers wove a crown of thorns—mocking his claim to be a King. They pressed the thorns deeply into his scalp, then took turns striking him on the head with a stick. After this mocking and torture, he would be crucified to death. Crucifixion was so painful and humiliating that it was forbidden by Roman law to be inflicted upon a Roman citizen.

After he died, Jesus’ dead body was released to his disciples to be buried. Because the Sabbath was starting (a day that no work is allowed), they hurriedly laid him in a tomb and sealed it with a stone.

But this wasn’t the end of the story.

On the third day they returned to the grave to give Jesus’ body a proper burial and discovered that he had risen from the dead. Then for the next 40 days Jesus met with his disciples giving them their final instructions before ascending to heaven as they watched on.

What did his disciples after this experience? They confidently followed Jesus’ mission. Death has been conquered—what else is there to fear?

Just in case they ever wondered, Jesus reminded his own followers what motivated his commitment to them. He said “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) And so he did.

It is the love of God that motivated and accomplished all this. With this knowledge, John—one of Jesus’ closest disciples—boldly declares to these new believers in the first century:

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. —1 John 3:1

And in the process, Jesus has promised that he will never leave you, never forsake you.

Jesus’ arrival into our world, as well as his death, burial and resurrection are all affirmations that nothing, nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from the love of God in Christ.

Never let fatigue, difficult days or even the most traumatic experience put distance between you and your heavenly father. You are, and will always be his. You are a child of God.

Just in case you ever wonder.

Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon—and he loves a good biryani.

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