It was very early in the morning. While Peter was denying knowledge of Jesus, Jesus was going through some of the most disrespectful times in three separate and illegal evening trials. At some point during the evening, Jesus had an opportunity to see Peter. During this brief encounter, and as Peter denied Jesus a third time, Jesus glanced at Peter. This glance must have not only brought embarrassment to Peter, but Mark 14:72 tells us that Peter broke down and wept. It’s curious that we are often only remorseful after we sin. In the midst of the struggle between sin and holiness is a time of forgetfulness. It is a time where Satan distracts us from those things we know to be true. I wonder how many times Jesus glances at me with that same disappointing look. More often than not, I’m sure. But I’ve been unaware and preoccupied. In the midst of selfish ambition, self-preservation, and self-reliance, I’ve been guilty of denying the one who created and sustains me. Maybe not denial in the way Peter denied, but denying nevertheless.
Have you ever sensed the piercing glance of Jesus in your life? Maybe the small sins, the small denials in your life. Maybe you’ve sensed Jesus’ disappointment with you. The good news is that Jesus provides grace, mercy, and forgiveness to us.
Jesus’ fourth trial was before Pilate……His fifth trial was before Herod….and back to Pilate for a sixth time of questioning. Pilate found Jesus to be innocent. Herod found Jesus to be innocent of anything deserving death. And Pilate, a second time, decided to scourge Jesus. At this point, while still early in the morning. This was an amazingly horrific punishment. Without going into much detail, Jesus was mercilessly beaten with whips that had sharp bone shards attached to the ends. The whipping split His chest and back, and nearly killed Him. Jesus was becoming more and more unrecognizable. However, not once did Jesus attempt to escape or bargain for a lesser sentence. Not once. At this point, the plan was to release Jesus, but it would not be so. Scripture says it best…..
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:15-26)
Look back at verse 22. These words continue to ring loudly through history. Think back with me at the landscape just a few days ago.
“a great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8-9)
What a remarkable difference a few days makes. Their attitudes transformed from praise to poison. Just days ago they were crying, “Save us!” Today, they forgot their own need. It’s funny how crowds are so often moved by peer influence. Maybe today you should escape the crowds and find some time alone to pray and contemplate the meaning and significance of Jesus’ death for you.
Around 9am, Jesus carried His cross to the gate on the north side of the city and was crucified. What a scene is painted before us. Jesus, God’s Son, hung helplessly and willingly on a cross to suffer the wrath of a just God because of the world’s sin. The wrath of a just God on our own personal sins. So often, Easter is a time of reflection. It is a time where we remember that Jesus actually took every sin the world ever committed or ever would commit on His shoulders. It was an incredible weight.
The soldiers raised the cross and it slid quickly and harshly into the hole assigned for Jesus. There was no turning back. There was no room for minds to change. The lot had been cast and Jesus was now on a cross that had my name on it. He was on a cross that had your name on it. Think about it. Between two thieves, one accepted, one rejected. A guard who understood. His mother, who saw her Son die an undeserving death. I guess that is what makes this scene so haunting. Jesus was dying an undeserving death. I guess that is what makes this scene so humbling. Jesus was on my cross…….He was on your cross……He experienced what we should have experienced. This is why the cross was, is, and always will be significant to humanity. It is because the punishment Jesus experienced was for us and in our place.
It was about 3pm and Jesus was about to speak His last words while on the cross. Three words that speak of His unspeakable love for us. “It is finished.” The unfinished business became finished. What was incomplete became complete. Death became reality. No, Jesus did not insist on fair trials, but accepted the unjust entrapment. No, Jesus did not inflict punishment on any of the guards, but asked His Father to forgive them. No, Jesus did not save Himself on the cross, but instead, finished the grueling process of totally carrying the sins of the world.
To those who put Jesus to death, it was for blasphemy. But the way Jesus saw it, it was for us. What an amazing truth. Jesus died for us.
At the moment Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. This was God’s way to illustrating that Jesus was truly the mediator between God and man. His death made it possible for us to experience life.
It was almost sundown and Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb. He had no tomb of His own.
If you look on your calendar today, you may see it titled as, “Good Friday.” As you reflect on this day, it really is a Good Friday. It is a great Friday. Although there was incredible grief surrounding Jesus’ death, the bigger picture was the sacrifice He made for mankind. Take some time today and thank God for His gift of the forgiveness of sins through his Son, Jesus. Thank God for His plan of salvation. Thank God for His love.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)