Good Friday 2022

9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

This happened as the time of Passover was approaching. The Jewish people had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem as commanded by God through Moses.

So, there were crowds of people that did gather along the way as Jesus entered the city.

And, as it happens, as the sun sets this evening, April 15 2022, Passover begins (it ends as the sun sets on on Saturday, April 23)

This Sunday is Easter when we celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead which is also the fulfillment of prophecy as written in Psalm 16:9–11

Psalm 16:9–11 NLT

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

But how did this joyful and triumphal crowd that received Jesus as He came into Jerusalem just a few days before turn into a mob shouting “Crucify Him”?

God had a plan and in these few days, during the time leading to what we call “Good Friday”, God’s plan was unveiled.

While there are prophetic words in the old testament about God’s plan, this plan was hidden and no one understood what would happen until after it was done.

It says in 1 Corinthians 2:8

1 Corinthians 2:8 NLT

8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

This day that we call Good Friday is the day we commemorate Jesus death on the cross.

This time of Jesus crucifixion is the time of His greatest sorrow and pain.

It is also is the moment where the power of sin and death was broken over our lives which is why we can call it a “Good” day.

As it says in Romans 5:21

Romans 5:21 NLT

21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Before we go forward through the events immediately following the triumphal entry, lets look at the government and religious culture of the day.

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The Culture of the Day

We may think that after 2,000 years, we are far evolved from their culture.

But lets take just a few minutes to look at the government of the Roman Empire and the religious leadership that were predominant in Jerusalem.

The Roman Empire

The roman empire was just coming into the height of its power when the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar was named in 27 AD. This marked the end of a long period of unrest and civil war. It also marked a period of peace and stability that lasted nearly 200 years. There was though, this ongoing fear of insurrection and rebellion.

In this society:

The senate and equestrian classes (including Augustus) enjoyed great wealth from conquered peoples and trade while ninety-seven percent of those in the Empire lived in some degree of poverty.

Rome’s citizens received a free monthly distribution of grain to each family in conjunction with monthly games (referred to as “bread and circus”).

The military received compensation including monthly salaries, discharge payments, opportunity for full Roman citizenship, and land grants for many who served twenty-five years or more.

And 30% of the population were slaves whose only legal status was that they served at the whim of their owner.

What did Roman Rule look like?

Rome imposed heavy taxation (Mark 2:15 (NLT) “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)”

Rome partnered with local elites to use their loyalty as an extension of his rule. These “client rulers” profited greatly from their allegiance.

Rome achievement relative peace and order by use of the death penalty. The Governor released one prisoner a year at the request of the people but others were crucified.

Is the United States Different?

Using data from 2011-2022

The “equestrian class”, the top 10% of the richest people in the United States own almost 70% of the country’s total wealth.

49.2% of U.S. households received benefits from one or more government programs.

A state of national emergency was declared beginning March 1, 2020 and on February 18, 2022 President Biden continued the national emergency without any end date. This gives special powers to the government for use of the military, national guard, curfews, travel restrictions and more.

The bottom 50% of U.S. residents only held 2% of all of U.S. wealth and more than 1 out of every 10 Americans lived below the poverty threshold.

The the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council)

The Sanhedrin (Council) handled local problems and religious questions and acted as the ruling government of Israel. However, they were “client rulers” to Rome so always needed to maintain their allegiance to Rome. All they did was subject to Rome’s supervision.

The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy members plus the current high priest, who presided over the group.

These were the wealthy, intellectual, and powerful men of Jerusalem. They were the rulers, elders, and teachers of religious law and the “Sadducees” held a majority.

This was the Council that condemned Jesus to death (Luke 22:66) but they could not carry out this death sentence without Rome’s approval.

Is the Church Today any Different?

There is no one “Council” but there are many denominations

Largest Christian denomination in the U.S., by number of adherents - Catholic

Largest Christian denomination in the U.S., by number of congregations - Evangelical and Conservative Protestant

Largest church among Evangelical and Conservative Protestant denominations in the U.S., by number of adherents - Southern Baptist Convention

Largest church among Mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S., by number of congregations - United Methodist Church

Nearly all denominations operate under state or federal regulation

The Church has no legal penal authority and even less local ruling power than in Jesus day.

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So now, what events happened after the triumphal entry?

Many today, on Good Friday, will virtually trace the steps of Jesus through Jerusalem to His Crucifixion.

If we were in Jerusalem, we would follow the “Via Dolorosa” which is Latin for “Sorrowful Way” or “Way of Suffering”).

This route through the Old City of Jerusalem is believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion.

The route goes from Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a distance of about 600 meters ( a little less than half a mile).

The route was established in the 18th century. Today it is marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross, the final five stations of which are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Stations of the Cross

We are using the “New Way of the Cross” used by the Catholic Church in the Philippines because it includes a few additional key events beginning with the Last Supper.

First station: The Last Supper

Jesus had sent two of his disciples ahead to prepare a place for this meal in Luke 22:8

Luke 22:8 NLT

8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

As they joined together for this meal, Jesus began to talk to them about His suffering in Luke 22:15-16

Luke 22:15–16 NLT

15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

This is where Jesus instituted what we call “the Lord’s Supper” or “Communion”.

This is where He said “my body is given for you” and “my blood is poured out for you”

This is where the prophetic words in Isaiah 53:4-6

“with his stripes we are healed” and

“the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”

are given meaning for us as they are about to be fulfilled.

Jesus wanted us to have this time of his suffering in our minds as we partake of communion.

Jesus also wanted us to look forward to the day when He will return to eat together with us at the wedding supper of the lamb in Revelation 19:7-9.

While we have this great covenant that we are reminded of through communion and this great future hope “fulfilled in the Kingdom of God”,

The suffering of Jesus begins with betrayal in Luke 22:21-22

Luke 22:21–22 NLT

21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.”

This betrayal came from one of his own disciples, Judas.

Betrayal came from one that was sitting right there and eating with him.

But the betrayal was bigger than just Judas, it was made possible by the scheme of the Council of Leaders that had determined that Jesus should die.

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you?

Have you ever faced a situation where other people made decisions about your future without any thought about what was best for you?

Do you know anyone that has faced corporate downsizing, or off-shoring or other decisions that put money in someone else’s pocket at your expense?

Or have you ever fallen prey to some confidence scheme where smiles and promises left you with nothing?

Jesus understands what it means to be abused for another’s personal gain.

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After the supper, Jesus headed to the Garden of Gethsemane

Second station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

This garden was a place Jesus and hid disciples had been to before. It wasn’t unusual for Him to come here and pray.

As they arrive, Jesus said to them in Matthew 26:36

Matthew 26:36 NLT

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”

All of the disciples were together with him there and he asked them to wait.

Then he separated three of them in Matthew 26:37-38

Matthew 26:37–38 NLT

37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

This was a private conversation between the four of them. Jesus share the anguish in his soul and asked them to “keep watch with me”.

Then, He went on in Matthew 26:39 alone.

Matthew 26:39 NLT

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

As Jesus prayed, we hear the outcry as a man, a human being saying I don’t want to face this.

But, He yields himself fully to fulfill His Father’s will.

Have you ever faced a moment that seemed unbearable?

Have you faced a time when you didn’t know how you would get through?

Jesus understands that crushing grief, that anguish of soul that no one else understands.

Jesus knows there are times when no one, not even your closest friends can ease the suffering.

Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested

Just at Jesus finishes praying that Judas arrives in Mark 14:43-46.

Mark 14:43–46 NLT

43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. 46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

The hidden scheme to take Jesus is unveiled ans Judas and “a crowd of men” come to take Him.

Jesus had been teaching daily in the temple but they would not take Him there for fear of the people.

Instead, they come at Him in the cover of darkness. They come at him with swords and clubs as if He is a thief or the leader of a rebellion.

They come, sent by the ruling Council of the Jews who had planned this with Judas.

Have you ever faced false accusations where there was no opportunity for you to answer the charges?

What can you say to clear your name against overwhelming force?

Jesus understands that there are situations that you cannot resolve but you must suffer through injustice.

5:40 PM

Third station: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin

Jesus is taken, bound and by force, to stand before the Sanhedrin in Luke 22:67-71

Luke 22:67–71 NLT

67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?” But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.” 70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.” 71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”

Jesus had performed miracles throughout Israel and right there in Jerusalem for them all to see.

So, when they ask, “Tell us, are you the Messiah”, Jesus responds “If I tell you, you won’t believe me”.

Then Jesus tells them that He will be raised from the dead and in vs 69, “the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand”.

These men think they have power in their hands but their power is fleeting. Many of these would live to see the destruction of the temple and the scattering of Israel at the hands of the Roman Empire.

But, it is at this moment that Peter is caught up in the events of the moment in Matthew 26:69-75

Jesus is denied by Peter

Jesus had told Peter that He would deny Him but Peter assured Jesus he would not.

Then, as Jesus is standing bound and facing judgement by the Sanhedrin, a question comes to him in Matthew 26:69

Matthew 26:69–75 NLT

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

She said “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean” and Peter felt the weight of public opinion and legal authority and chose to protect himself by denying Jesus.

Have you ever faced a moment of guilt by association and reacted by denying any part in a relationship?

Self preservation is a strong motivator and can lead us to rationalize nearly any action.

Have you ever denied the truth or shaded the truth to avoid exposing yourself in some negative light?

Jesus stood alone as Peter denied Him completely, yet Jesus forgave Peter and later restored their relationship.

The Sanhedrin wants Jesus killed but they don’t have any authority to carry out the death penalty.

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Fourth station: Jesus is scourged at the pillar and crowned with thorns

After Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, He is taken before Pilate the Roman Governor of the region in Mark 15:1.

Mark 15:1 NLT

1 Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate

Pilate held the full legal authority of the Roman Empire and resided at the “Antonia fortress” on the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.

It was named by Herod the Great in honor of his friend Mark Antony, who appointed him ruler over Judaea.

The fortress offered luxurious amenities, a courtyard, and spacious living quarters suitable for Roman officials.

It also functioned as a military barracks and was permanently occupied by a cohort that kept watch over the temple area to suppress any threat of insurrection.

Tradition has held that Jesus’ trial before Pilate occurred here because John 19:13 states that when Pilate brought Jesus outside, he took his seat upon the βῆμα (bēma, “judgment seat”) located in the Λιθόστρωτον (Lithostrōton, “stone pavement”) that served as a courtyard within the fortress.

As Jesus stands before Pilate, it says in Mark 15:2-5

Mark 15:2–5 NLT

2 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 3 Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 4 and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 5 But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

Pilate heard all of the accusations, the worst being that Jesus was “king of the Jews” because in the Roman Empire there was only one King, Augustus Caesar.

Jesus did not answer the accusations.

And, Pilate did not bother to seek the truth because his role as governor was to keep the peace and the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, was the local group he depended on to keep the Jewish people in line.

But the crowd cried out to crucify Jesus in John 19:6

John 19:6 NLT

6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” “Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”

Pilate first told them to crucify Him themselves because he found “him not guilty”.

Pilate then took the politically expedient action and offered to release one prisoner, Jesus or Barabbas in Mark 15:15.

Mark 15:15 NLT

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Barabbas had been involved in insurrection against the Roman Empire and was to be crucified as an enemy of the state.

Pilate, as the true politician, yielded to the voice of the crowd and turned Jesus over for crucifixion even though he found no guilt in Him.

Pilate then handed Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to prepare Jesus for crucifixion in John 19:1-3

John 19:1–3 NLT

1 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.

Have you ever been abused by a person in a position of authority?

Have you ever been bullied by someone, or a group that is stronger than you?

Jesus has faced the worst kinds of abuse and bullying and took it as it is, a part of the curse of sin in the world.

The “Antonio fortress” marks the first station on the “Via Dolorosa” in Jerusalem.

5:56 PM

Fifth station: Jesus bears the cross

Jesus is brought back before the crowd wearing a crown of thorns and the sign “Hail, King of the Jews” in John 19:14

John 19:14 NLT

14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”

but the crowd shouted “Crucify him” so in John 19:16-17

John 19:16–17 NLT

16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).

There would have been a Roman guard detail responsible for the procession to the place of crucifixion

But it was the responsibility of each person to carry their own cross.

It is thought that the cross weighed over 100 pounds and perhaps as much as 300.

Have you ever been under such an extreme load that you just could not carry it?

Jesus carried the weight of the sin of the world.

Sixth station: Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross

Tradition says that “Jesus Falls under the weight of the Cross” and this is one station on the “Via Dolorosa” in Jerusalem.

But there is no Bible reference to Jesus falling under the weight.

It is clear though, that Jesus had help carrying the cross in Mark 15:21

Mark 15:21 NLT

21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)

Jesus had been flogged and beaten and certainly was very weak.

Carrying more than 100 pounds nearly half a mile was simply more than he physically could do.

The systems of the world may put more on you than you can bear, even to the point of breaking you physically.

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Seventh station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Along the way, Jesus notices women that are grieving for Him in Luke 23:27-31.

Luke 23:27–31 NLT

27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 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.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Jesus doesn’t comfort them saying, “I’ll rise again”, or “You will see me seated with my Father in heaven”, or quoting prophecy.

Instead He tells them to weep for themselves, they don’t realize the destruction of the temple and dispersion of the Jewish people that is about to come.

They are mourning the horrible pain Jesus is facing yet they have no idea what is coming for them.

We today live with a world of people around us that may think they have what they need for fulfillment, houses, cars, money, position, but the real truth is that without a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are lost and without hope and headed for destruction.

6:00 PM

Eighth station: Jesus is crucified

The Gospels record seven things Jesus said while He hung on the cross. Three of these are recorded only in John, and three of them only in Luke. The remaining phrase appears only in Matthew and Mark.

As Jesus comes to the place where He is to be crucified they nail him to the cross in Luke 23:33

Luke 23:33 NLT

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

The first of the seven last sayings of Jesus

Then Jesus speaks out in Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34 NLT

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

How many times have we done something, whether intentionally or simply through our own ignorance or insensitivity that hurts or even destroys someone else?

Jesus demonstrates the love of God that loves the unlovely. Jesus said this in Matthew 5:45

Matthew 5:45 NLT

45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Anyone that come to Jesus can be forgiven, in fact, He has already forgiven us if we can accept the work He did on the cross.

6:18 PM

Ninth station: Jesus promises his Kingdom to the repentant thief

Jesus then spoke to one of the thieves that was being crucified with him in Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:39–43 NLT

39 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!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This challenge by the one thief for Jesus to prove himself and the repentant second thief prompted this

The second of the last sayings of Jesus

Luke 23:43 NLT

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

According to Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32, both of the criminals who were crucified with Jesus insulted him.

However, Luke 23:39-42 indicates that one of these criminals experienced a change of heart, and Jesus responds by assuring his immediate participation in a paradise afterlife.

As long as you draw breath, you can find salvation through Jesus Christ, but why harden your heart, why wait, now is the time to accept him.

6:25 PM

Tenth station: Mary and John at the Foot of the Cross

There were people standing by and watching as Jesus was crucified in John 19:25

John 19:25 NLT

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

Jesus saw His mother standing there and spoke

This third last saying of Jesus was “Woman, Behold Your Son.… Behold Your Mother” (John 19:26–27)

John 19:26–27 NLT

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

The third saying is recorded only in John’s Gospel and shows Jesus’ care for His mother.

Even though He Himself was in tremendous physical agony, He was mindful of the pain she was experiencing and made provision for her by entrusting her to the care of John, the beloved disciple.

6:31 PM

Eleventh station: Jesus dies on the cross

Jesus reputedly hung on the cross from approximately 9:00 am in Mark 15:25

Mark 15:25 NLT

25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.

Jesus had been taken the night before, he stood before the Sanhedrin, He stood before Pilate, and likely made these first three statements before noon.

The remaining four sayings took place in the afternoon, nearer to the time of His death.

The fourth last saying was in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

It says in Mark 15:34

Mark 15:34 NLT

34 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?”

This was near the end of Jesus’ life and draws from Psalm 22:1

Psalm 22:1 NLT

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

This is a Psalm about despair that parallels Jesus’ suffering but this Psalm ends with hope in Psalm 22:31

Psalm 22:31 NLT

31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.

Even in His time of greatest pain and desperation, Jesus is speaking words that connect with the future fulfillment of God’s great plan of salvation.

The fifth last saying is in John 19:28

John 19:28 NLT

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”

This saying draws from Psalm 69:3 “my throat is parched”

Jesus’ fifth saying is only one word in Greek and is the shortest of the seven sayings.

Jesus had earlier refused wine drugged with myrrh a drink that included an anesthetizing agent (Matt 27:34; Mark 15:23), but He invites this one.

The request for a drink and the offering of wine mixed with vinegar echoes Psa 69:21 “they offer me sour wine for my thirst”.

The sixth of his last sayings was in John 19:30

John 19:30 NLT

30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Like the fifth saying, this is also only one Greek word.

This expression is interpreted as a victory anthem rather than a sign of defeat.

His pain and suffering are over, but He has also finished His work on the cross by atoning for sins.

The seventh and last saying from the cross happened about 3:00 in the afternoon as it says in Luke 23:44-46

Luke 23:44–46 NLT

44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

This last saying from the cross is recorded only by Luke but because He spoke these words at high volume, they may be the “loud cry” mentioned in Matt 27:50 and Mark 15:37.

Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5 “I entrust my spirit into your hands”.

Jesus is trusting God in the face of harrowing circumstances.

6:38 PM

Twelfth station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

In Matthew 27:57-60

Matthew 27:57–60 NLT

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Jesus body was quickly prepared for burial as the sun was setting for the Sabbath to begin.

Thirteenth station: Jesus rises from the Dead

After Jesus was in the grave for three days, the women that had buried Jesus returned to complete their task.

As they did, it says in Matthew 28:2-4

Matthew 28:2–4 NLT

2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Guards had been placed at Jesus tomb to make sure no one stole His body.

Then in Matthew 28:5-7

Matthew 28:5–7 NLT

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

6:45 PM

Closing

What were the most important three words Jesus spoke at the cross?

John 19:30 (NLT)

“It is finished!”

What was finished?

Jesus suffering was finished.

God’s plan of salvation for us was finished.

The power of sin and death was broken and we are no longer servants of sin.

Jesus took the keys of death and hell in Revelation 1:18

Revelation 1:18 NLT

18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

Jesus made this invitation in Matthew 11:28–30

Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)

28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus doesn’t ask us to go through the agony and suffering He went through on the “Via Dolorosa”

He asks us to come to Him.

Prayer of Salvation

Pray: If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, simply say this prayer with me.

"Dear God,

I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life.

I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward.

Guide my life and help me to do your will.

I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

If you prayed with me, I want to seal that with a short prayer for you.

"Father,

I thank you for these that have accepted Jesus Christ today. Lead them by your Holy Spirit to a local Church where they can learn more about you and your plan for their life, In Jesus name, Amen

Commission Prayer for Christian

Pray: For those of you that are Christians, we have a commission to stand together, united in Christ, as one body.

Would you pray with me now.

"Father,

I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

Father, I know it is your desire that all would be saved and come to know the truth.

As Jesus prayed, let me take my rightful place in the body of Christ so the world will know that you sent Jesus Christ, not only for us, but also for them.