Today’s Reading: Mark 14:66-72, 16:14; Luke 22:54b-62, 24:12; John 18:12-27, 20:3-10, and 21:15-25

HE WAS LOOKING FOR JESUS

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. – Luke 24:10-12

What was going through Peter’s mind as he stood inside the empty tomb? Was he reminded of his denial as he walked away in bewilderment? He had come looking for his friend but Jesus was nowhere to be found. There was so much he wanted to say — so much he wanted to apologize for. Perhaps his mind went back to the broken promises he had made to Jesus.

Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”
Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter – before the rooster crows tomorrow, you will deny three times that you even know me.” – John 13:36-38

And that is exactly what happened. While Jesus was being questioned in front of the high priest, Peter was in the courtyard being asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. “No,” he said, “I am not” (John 18:17b). As Simon Peter stood by the fire to warm himself, he was asked again if he was a disciple of Jesus. He denied it again but someone there recognized him from the olive grove where Jesus was arrested. Again Peter denied it and immediately a rooster crowed (John 18:25-27).

Can you relate to how Peter must have been feeling at this moment? I have some memories I regret — moments when I should have responded differently or spoken up for Jesus. I have missed opportunities to represent Jesus in a situation. I know the feeling of guilt when the Holy Spirit tugs on my heart to do something and I freeze, the moment lost forever. I know all too well the feeling of realizing I have sinned and I need Jesus’ forgiveness, even though I do not deserve it. Because Peter was an emotional and passionate man, I imagine he experienced all of this to a higher degree than I can comprehend.

HE NEEDED TO TALK TO JESUS.

After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he appeared to his disciples and said the words that must have been like salve on Peter’s wounds, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Yes, peace was exactly what Peter had been without for three days and exactly what he needed from Jesus.

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” – John 20:22

Peter had experienced the privilege of watching almost every moment of Jesus’ ministry – the healings, the sermons, sins forgiven, the false accusations – and yet he denied Jesus on that dreadful Friday afternoon when His Savior needed him the most. And now Jesus was giving the man who needed forgiveness the ability to forgive. Did Peter feel unworthy of this gift? Was this conversation with Jesus in response to Peter’s need for restoration?

Jesus asked Peter three questions and allowed him to individually answer each of the three questions. He gave Peter the opportunity to state his commitment to Christ three times, just as he had denied Jesus three times.

Today’s Reading: Mark 16:1-11; Luke 8:1-3, 24:1-11; John 20:1-2, 11-18

Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. – Mark 16:1-4

I wonder how long it took them to react to what they were seeing. The large stone was no longer at the entrance of the tomb. When they entered, they found that Jesus’ body was no longer there. Luke describes the women as puzzled. And as they stood there trying to figure out what had happened, two men clothed in dazzling robes suddenly appeared to them.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” – Luke 24:5-7

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AMONG THE DEAD FOR SOMEONE WHO IS ALIVE?

“Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. – Mark 16:7-8

[Mary Magdalene] ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” – John 20:1-2

Mary Magdalene followed Simon Peter back to the empty tomb. Overwhelmed with emotion, she stood outside the tomb and wept. Consider with me all of the emotions Mary must have been feeling. Now, consider with me how special this next moment must have been for Mary — a woman marked by her past, forever known as the one who had been possessed. How did she see herself? If she had ever struggled with feeling unloved and unimportant, I wonder if those feelings went away when Jesus chose her to be the first person He appeared to after His resurrection – even before returning to His Father. I imagine this encounter with Jesus changed Mary’s life, much like my own encounter with Jesus forever changed my life.

WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying? The angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message. – John 20:11-18

WHO AM I LOOKING FOR?

I find great significance in Jesus’ question to Mary and I ask myself the same thing – Who am I looking for? Am I looking for Jesus? Am I expecting Jesus to reveal Himself to me today? Am I expecting to hear from the Spirit, to encounter God’s presence in my life today? Am I following Jesus today with a willingness to serve Him? Do I live with the daily recognition that Jesus is alive and actively involved in my life?

Jesus, here I am with a heart willing to experience you today as we celebrate your resurrection! Open my eyes to the ways in which you are working in my life and in the lives of those around you. Strengthen my faith and help me to see my value in you no matter how others define me. May you be glorified today in the lives of believers around the world as we celebrate the reality that you conquered death and rose from the grave. We serve a Risen Savior! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. – John 19:38a

The gospel accounts of Mark, Luke and John help us put together the hours after Jesus’ death. Each account adds more detail to who Joseph of Arimathea was, and what it took for him to go to Pilate to ask for the body of his friend.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. – Luke 23:50-51

John tells us that Joseph had followed Jesus secretly out of fear of the other religious leaders. He believed in who Jesus said he was, yet did not stand up for Jesus among his peers. But tonight, when even Jesus’ disciples were nowhere to be found, Joseph was courageously approaching the Roman governor who handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. – Mark 15:43-45

Joseph was not the only religious leader among the Jews who believed in Jesus. With him that night was Nicodemus, the Pharisee who had come to Jesus at night to ask him questions. Jesus took the time to explain to him what it meant when he said that you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. In light of this moment on Friday afternoon, consider the truth Jesus had previously revealed to Nicodemus that night:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. – John 3:16-21

COME TO THE LIGHT

Here Nicodemus was, stepping into the light to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus. The Sabbath had not yet begun, which means it was not after sundown. The sun may not have been shining on that Friday afternoon, but Nicodemus had found the courage to serve Jesus, and here he was going down in history as the man who supplied the myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial.

When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. – John 19:38b-39

Consider with me how difficult it must have been for these two men to take Jesus’ body down from the cross. It was an honor for them to serve Jesus in this way, but it was probably the most difficult thing they had ever done. To remove the nails from his hands and feet, to extract the thorns from his brow, to apply the ointment and wrap the linen cloth around his body…

Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. – John 19:40-42

But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. – Isaiah 53:9b-12

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. – Luke 23:44-45

For three hours, the world was completely dark. There was no light being cast from the sun — no shadows or shade. The Light of the World had come down to mankind, yet they did not receive all that Jesus had to offer them.

He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. – Isaiah 53:3-6

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD BEAR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS?

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – Mark 15:34

How often have we felt some level of abandonment on our hardest days? We sit in what feels like a heavy blanket of darkness. and we long for God to show Himself. We beg Him to shed light on our situation and make His presence known. We call out for God to rescue us, we hunger for a word from the Lord, and we thirst for a sip of living water.

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30

It was finished. Jesus had done what he had been asked to do. The Son of God had accomplished the task that had brought him down from heaven.

At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. – Matthew 27:51-52

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:39

Surely the testimony of this one Roman officer reflected the thoughts of all who witnessed that moment. Creation itself was responding to the death of Jesus. Things were happening that could not be explained away. People who had died were now alive! Whether you were in the temple or still on the hill called Golgotha, it could not be denied that God was responding to the death of His Son.

It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe. These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and “They will look on the one they pierced.” – John 19:31-37

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO DIE?

No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. – Isaiah 53:7b-9a

Today’s Reading: John 19:25-27

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. – John 19:25

Luke tells us that there was a small group of women who often followed Jesus from town to town along with the disciples. Each had their own personal story of how Jesus had healed them of disease or freed them from the evil spirits that were controlling their lives. They were so thankful for what Jesus had done in their lives that they gave sacrificially in order to help support the ministry of Jesus. Among these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of the manager of Herod’s household, and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3).

At the foot of the cross, we again see a small group of women who faithfully stayed by Jesus’ side, even in his death. While others were running in fear, these women were ministering to the needs of Jesus’ mother as she watched her son suffer. Again we see Mary Magdalene, along with Jesus’ aunt and Mary the wife of Clopas.

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. – John 19:26-27

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF HIS MOTHER FROM THE CROSS?

I cannot imagine the deep sorrow Mary was experiencing as she sat at the foot of the cross, but I do know the love of a mother for her child. Studies show that there is no grief as intense as the loss of a child; not even the loss of a spouse surpasses the sorrow of losing a son or daughter.

When the angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary to let her know she would conceive and give birth to a son, Mary had no idea the joy this baby boy would bring her. She did not know what it would be like to watch him grow and hunger for the study of scripture. I imagine she was a proud parent as she listened to him teach and watched him heal those who were brought to him. As a mother, I imagine she also worried when she saw how the religious leaders challenged him and tried to trap him with their questions.

THE LORD IS WITH YOU!

The angel had said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28). Mary had found favor with God! What must that have felt like to be the one chosen to be the mother of God’s son. Perhaps the memory of that day played through her mind as she watched the son she loved dying on the cross.

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” – Luke 1:29-33

Confused and disturbed — these are adjectives that could probably be used to describe Mary as she watched Jesus’ crucifixion. The angel had said he would be very great, and he was! The angel said he would reign forever, so why was he dying? Did Mary understand that his death did not mean that his Kingdom was coming to end? Perhaps she remembered back to the words of Simeon on the day she and Joseph had presented their baby to the Lord, as the law required. The Holy Spirit was on Simeon that day as he held Jesus in his arms and celebrated the coming of the Messiah.

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” – Luke 2:34-35

BUT HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

This question Mary asked the angel when he prophesied the birth of Jesus seems to fit well in today’s passage. Scripture does not tell us what Mary was saying as she grieved at the foot of the cross; we do not know what she was thinking or the questions she was asking. But Mary knew God to be faithful. The angel had told Mary that the word of God will never fail, and I imagine she was holding onto those words as she experienced the deepest grief she had ever known.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. – Luke 1:38

When Mary accepted God’s plan for her life, she accepted everything that would come with it. Her pregnancy before the engagement was over would be talked about; her character would be questioned. But Mary took each moment in Jesus’ life and pondered them in her heart, thinking about them often (Luke 2:19).

Jesus had brought great joy into her life, and the world had brought great sorrow. This same dichotomy is felt by us today. But when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we accept everything that God has planned for us, while acknowledging the reality that we are in the world but not of it. So as we soak in the remembrance of what Jesus did for us on that Friday long ago, let us take this time to recommit our hearts to the highs and lows of this spiritual journey.

The Lord is with us! The word of God will never fail, and his Kingdom will never end!

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:26-43, John 19:17-22

So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). – John 19:16b-17

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD WALK THIS ROAD?

After the beating he had received, it is hard to fathom that he would even have the strength to bear the weight of the cross. Imagine the pain of the wood against the open sores on his back; imagine the pain of the thorns digging deeper into his head. This walk to Golgotha would have been physically painful, but also spiritually heavy as he carried not only his cross but mine.

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD CARRY MY CROSS?

They led Jesus away, walking up a road leading to the place called Golgotha. At one point, the soldiers either had some compassion for Jesus or they became impatient with how long it was taking our wounded Lord to carry the cross. They seized a man named Simon who was walking by, and they made him carry the cross behind Jesus. A large crowd followed, including many grief-stricken women. Even in that awful moment, Jesus had compassion on the broken-hearted following this procession.

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD CARE FOR THOSE WHO MOURN?

But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” – Luke 23:28-31

If this could take place while the Messiah himself was in their presence — the promised Messiah the Jews had been waiting for generation after generation — what kind of evil would take place after Jesus was gone? This prophecy of what was to come had a tone of concern. Jesus loved the people he was about to leave behind; he loved those he had done life with over the last three years.

And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece…

The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” – Mark 15:22-32

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD FORGIVE?

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. – Luke 23:35-36

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:39-43

Again, the compassion of Jesus is displayed. Even while he was suffering, he was thinking of the purpose for which he was dying – salvation. The same Jesus who took the time to heal a blind man and then tell him to go and sin no more was now redeeming the life of the criminal beside him. This reveals to us the heart of our Savior; this shows us just how much he loves us. It shows us that he is willing to redeem even that part of our story we are most ashamed of.

Father God, thank you for sending your Son to die for our sins. Jesus, thank you for all you suffered in order that we may experience salvation. Spirit, remind us throughout this weekend of the LOVE we are so blessed to experience each day. Guide us, teach us, lead us, fill us. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:16-20, John 19:23-24

So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. – Luke 23:24-25

Today’s verses are very difficult to read. I often find myself skimming over them and moving on to the road to Golgotha, but today I am going to sit here and consider how Jesus suffered for me — how he suffered for you. Each of the gospels tells the story a little differently, but each shows the suffering Jesus endured in order to offer us the joy of salvation.

The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. – Mark 15:16-20

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD FACE HUMILIATION?

He was innocent, yet they treated him as if he was guilty. He was sinless, yet willing to carry our sins. He had so much more to offer the world than they were willing to receive, yet he gave of himself in order that they could experience eternal life.

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did. – John 19:23-24

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS THAT HE WOULD SUFFER AND DIE?

Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. – Matthew 27:27-31

Through all of the humiliation and torture, Jesus spoke of forgiveness. He did not just die for the sins of the masses, he died for those who were inflicting pain. He died for those who demanded his crucifixion, and he forgave those who mocked him. If he can forgive those who tortured him, imagine how willing he is to forgive you.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

These few portions of scripture are difficult to read. It is hard to read about the pain Jesus suffered for us. It is hard to comprehend that a holy God could love a sinful people enough to send His very own son to be mocked, tortured and crucified. It is often more than we can fathom or wrap our minds around. But we must understand that Jesus died for us so that we can receive all that He has for us. We cannot celebrate his resurrection without acknowledging his crucifixion.

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is. – 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Jesus, thank you so much for receiving all the punishment that we deserved. Thank you for willingly dying as a penalty for our sins. As we consider how you suffered, it makes it a little easier for us to bear what we are going through today. Lord, we long for the day when we will see you face to face. May you be glorified through our lives every day. We love you. Amen.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. – 1 Peter 4:12-13

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:12-15,Luke 23:20-25, John 19:1-16

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.

Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!” – John 19:1-5

NOT GUILTY

Pilate had talked with Jesus and could honestly say he found no reason to crucify him. He argued with the Jewish leaders but the crowd kept yelling for Jesus to be crucified. He went back inside and talked to Jesus again. John 19:8 says that Pilate was frightened by the response of the crowd, and Luke 23:20 says that Pilate wanted to release Jesus. He seemed to be looking for a way out of this situation.

“Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.” – John 19:10-12

Jesus was giving his life in order to bear the penalty of sin, and yet the people continued to deny him and cry out for his death. He was the Son of God and he was the King of Kings, but he was rejected by those he had come to save. He had healed them when they were sick, delivered them from their bondage, and fed the multitudes, and yet there would be no justice for him. Jesus, who was the truth, was not given the protection of the truth.

For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. – Luke 23:22-25

Unjustly condemned, he was led away. – Isaiah 53:8a

But Pilate seemed to know who he was handing over to be crucified. It didn’t matter to him that the people and the Jewish leaders were rejecting Jesus, he knew who Jesus was and he was determined to make it known. As was the custom, he had a sign made to hang over each man being crucified. Over Jesus the sign read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The soldiers mocked Jesus, placing a crown of thorns on his head and purple robe on his back – “Hail! King of the Jews!”

Once more the leading priests, men appointed by God to lead His people in sacrificial worship of Him, led the people in their rejection of the promised Messiah saying, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate stubbornly refused, “No, what I have written, I have written” (John 19:19-22).

God’s people stubbornly refused to acknowledge His Son as their King at the same time that Pilate stubbornly refused to acknowledge Him as anything but the King of the Jews. Just as they rejected God as their King, demanding an earthly king instead, they were now rejecting His Son, the Messiah.

“Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer.” – 1 Samuel 8:5-7

Later Samuel called all the people of Israel to meet before the Lord at Mizpah. And he said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, has declared: I brought you from Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and from all the nations that were oppressing you. But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, ‘No, we want a king instead!’” – 1 Samuel 10:17-19a

LORD WITH A CAPITAL L

According to Webster, a synonym for “king” is “lord” – one having power or authority over others (https://www.merriam-webster.com). Again, when capitalized, the word “Lord” means God or Christ. So, I have to ask myself again — how good of a job am I doing capitalizing God in my life? I can say God is King of my life but am I truly letting go of control and letting him rule my life? If I am going to claim Jesus as Lord of my life, his power and authority must be evidenced in the decisions I make, the words I say, and the impact of my life.

As we study the passion of Christ this week, may God do something new in each of our hearts. May our understanding increase, and may we be brought closer in our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gets to be in charge, He is the authority, and this morning we bow in reverence to His majesty.

Today’s Reading: Mark 15:1-11, Luke 23:1-19, John 18:28-40

WHO IS THE KING?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a king is a “male monarch of a major territorial unit, especially one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life; or a paramount chief” (https://www.merriam-webster.com). If the word king is capitalized, it is by definition God or Christ. This dictionary actually offers 7 different definitions including the playing card, the chess piece, the crowned checker, or a kind of salmon.

Defining who had the title King of the Jews was the argument surrounding the trial of Jesus Christ. Pilate asked Jesus if he was King of the Jews, and Jesus answered him with confidence.

“My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So, you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. – John 18:36-38a

WHAT IS TRUTH?

What a profound question for Pilate to ask. It seems to reveal the inner struggle of this Roman leader. He had power and authority; he was surrounded by servants and soldiers. Yet Pilate seemed to know he had not found the answer to the question — What is truth?

When he found out that Jesus was a Galilean, he seemed relieved to pass Jesus on to Herod Antipas. After all, Herod was in Jerusalem at the time. Let him solve the question of whether or not Jesus was the King of the Jews.

Herod was more than happy for the opportunity to meet this Jesus he had heard so much about. It had been his hope for a while to see Jesus perform a miracle. Rather than seeing Jesus as the truth, Herod saw him as a source of entertainment. But when he couldn’t get Jesus to perform for him and play his game, he lost his patience and found a new way to have some fun.

He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.) – Luke 23:9-12

These two earthly leaders showed no respect for the true King. They took the authority and power that men had given them and used it against the only one who had the right to sit on a throne. Jesus did not resist or argue, because he had already decided he was willing to pay the penalty for our sins.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7

This morning I asked myself the same question Pilate asked — What is truth? If I am being honest with myself, have I capitalized Jesus in my life? I can say Jesus is the King of my life, but do my actions reflect my submission. Am I truly letting go of control and allowing King Jesus to be in charge? I can claim Him as Lord of my life, but is His power or authority evidenced in the decisions I will make today?

I want God’s Kingship to be evidenced not only in my words but in my actions. I want to look back and see where He has brought me from and from what He has rescued me. He gets to be in charge, He gets all the authority, and it is to Him that I bow in reverence this morning as I enjoy my morning coffee with my King and my Lord!

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” – Luke 23:13-18

Today’s Reading: Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:15-18,25-27

While Jesus was being questioned at the home of Caiphas, the high priest, Peter had slipped into the courtyard unnoticed. While the other disciples had kept running, Peter had paused and then followed the soldiers at a safe distance. As the night went on, Peter moved closer to the action.

The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”
But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” – Luke 22:55-57

Peter was the only disciple brave enough to be here, and yet the limitations of his courage were now evident. Perhaps he denied being one of Jesus’ followers out of fear that they would make him leave, or perhaps he was afraid he, too, would be arrested. Either way, when the moment came for Peter to stand for Jesus, he cowered in denial.

After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”
“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. – Luke 22:58

Perhaps Peter’s first response came from a place of fear, but this one seems to come from a place of anger. Peter sharply and angrily responded to the accusation. Leave me alone; turn your attention to someone else. I am not who you think I am!

About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”
But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. – Luke 22:59-60

The sound of the rooster crowing must have struck a heavy chord with Peter. He turned his attention from those around the fire, and he looked towards where they were questioning Jesus.

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. – Luke 22:61-62

When I consider this moment in Peter’s life, I wonder what I would have done. Instead of finding myself shocked and irritated by Peter’s denial, I find myself understanding. I would love to believe that I would have courageously stood in confidence of who I am and what my relationship with Jesus means to me, but I know from experience that fear is a powerful emotion.

We have all felt that fight or flight response when faced with a potentially harmful situation. We have all had moments of regret that we did not stand boldly for Christ while those around us mocked Christianity. We live in a world that does not understand our faith. The tolerance for religion is weakening, and it is important for us to make a decision today about how we will respond tomorrow.

The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him. – Luke 22:63-65

Jesus could have called down angels to protect him in this moment, but he willingly received every cruel statement and physical blow. He felt the pain of each insult, and I believe he felt the pain of Peter’s denial. Everyone whom he had invested in for the last three years was now gone. He stood there and received the world’s hatred, bearing the penalty for all of our sins — for the betrayal of Jesus, for the denial of Peter, and for each and every one of my sins.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:3-6