Holy Week April 22

Friday morning and Jesus is in the custody of the Jewish leadership. They are questioning Him regarding His teachings. I can only imagine what they are asking Him. When will He be released? When will the people demand His release? I can see Herod and Pilate talking on the balcony. Jesus is brought out for us to see. He looks terrible for they have beaten and tortured Him. This isn’t what was supposed to happen. What have we done? This is all wrong. Pilate is disavowing any responsibility for convicting Jesus of blasphemy. He washes his hands and claims he is not responsible. Herod demands death, but this day requires the Romans to release one prisoner to us. He asks who should be released. I can only imagine what the people want, but they are crying for Barabbas to be freed. Why not Jesus? He is the one who has come into the world to save us sinners. Why are the people turning against Him? This is not right at all. Forgive me, for I know not what I have done. They have taken Him away again. I can only imagine what will happen next. The crowds have called for His death. This is wrong. Do we have any way of saving Him for I believe He is to be crucified? I heard Judas Iscariot hung himself because of what he did last night. Wait! I see Jesus, but He has a large cross to bear and He is having trouble carrying it. They are heading for Golgotha. He has fallen and the soldiers have conscripted a man called Simon to help with the cross. The torture has been awful, but Jesus has not cried out against His tormentors. I don’t understand why no one will rise up and free Him from His trials and tribulations. The soldiers and Jesus have reached the mound. I can only imagine why the soldiers are driving nails though His flesh into the cross. They mock Him and scorn Him. He hangs on the cross when it is lifted into place. This is a terrible day. Before Jesus dies He cries out to God, “Why have you forsaken me?” He is dead. I can only imagine what will happen to those of us who have followed in His footsteps. We need to flee and hide from retribution. The earth is shaking and the sky is dark. Joseph of Arimathea has requested the body be turned over to him. The women prepared Jesus body for burial.  Jesus is buried in a newly hewn cave which acts as a tomb. It is covered with a large stone. I can only imagine what our future will be without Jesus to guide and care for us. We are condemned by our own sins.