Beholding Jesus

Gethsemane(Mark 14:32-42)

My heart breaks within me as I think upon what took place in the Garden. We see a paradox of the creator of the universe at his weakest point, yet this is where he finds his greatest strength. Jesus knew that his strength and zeal could not get him through what was about to take place in the coming hours. To say that Jesus was this disturbed by dying a martyrs death is absurd. The reason people mock this moment of our savior’s distress and troubled heart is because they do not fully understand what would happen in the coming hours on that cross on golgotha hill. It says he went and prayed the same prayer three times. He asked the Father, “Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” This cup that he was about to partake of was by no means a cup of pleasure, blessing, or honor. It was the cup of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. He himself was tread in that winepress of the wrath of God. He himself became a curse with this cup. He will one day have his vengeance on sin when he himself treads the winepress of the wrath and fierceness of Almighty God. He will make his majestic stand for truth, humility, and righteousness. In that day all high things will be brought low including the mountains and hills. Jesus knew that his strength during this time would come from the Father. He himself knew his flesh was weak, but his spirit was willing. In his weakness, his strength was made perfect.

Arrest(John 18:1-11)

Jesus came out of the place of prayer full of the spirit. He left edified and strengthened. I wonder what words the Father spoke to him? How did the Father encounter him to give him enough strength? Did he send ministering angels to strengthen him? Did he have an open vision of him standing once again at the right hand of the Father? They came to arrest Jesus thinking he would be off guard and in a place of weakness. Jesus showed them that even in his weakness, he is all powerful! His voice still has that same power that in had in the beginning at Genesis 1! The guards came forward and Jesus asked,”Whom are you seeking?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.” The Jesus replied simply, “I am He.” It says that then they drew back and fell to the ground. Jesus spoke three words and they were thrown backwards. Can you imagine what was going through the heads off the guards? They were probably thinking we are suppose to arrest him? They said he was weak and just a man. I think it was his mercy of revealing himself to these guards. Jesus is saying, “Yes, you must arrest me. First, I will show you who I am so when I submit to you, you know I still am God.” The guards must have been dumbfounded. I then picture after this happening Jesus stretching out his hands to be bound and arrested. He knew what had to be done. His hour had come.

Trial(John 18:12-14 & 19-24)
They then led Jesus to Annas who was the father-in-law of Caiphas, the high priest that year. They attempted to try Jesus behind close doors. They were trying to give him a trial without justice. What they were doing was very unjust. The one thing that caught my eye about this was the fact of how Annas foreshadowed Jesus dying for the sake of the whole nation. This one man’s sacrifice would not only be for the nation, but for all of humanity who would accept him as God and Saviour.

Before Pilate(John 18:28-40)

Jesus is done wrong in almost every way he can be through the trial. He doesn’t even have a trial. It was a judicial murder. They bring Jesus up to Pilate and say put him to death. When Pilate asks why, they say because we cannot. It was pure demonic rage lashing out against Jesus. Pilate then takes Jesus in and questions him. Jesus reveals that he is indeed a king, but his kingdom is not of this world. Pilate said that he found no fault in him, They had no just accusation against Jesus. The judge of the universe was dealt with unjustly. One day The Judge will bring justice to the earth once and for all.

Sentencing(John 19:1-16

To think upon the suffering our saviour went through is heart breaking. To think that God took on flesh in his mercy and came to dwell with men. To think that he had this planned out the whole time. He was truly undeserving of all the punishment he recieved. There were guilty murders who did not recieve as much punishment. A normal man would have died after the scourging. They mocked the king of the earth as if he were not a king. Jesus submitted to the mocking and scourging all for the sake of our souls. The hope that we might have eternal life. He took the crown of thorns knowing a greater crown awaited. He wore the robe with honor so that I could one day have a dazzling white and spotless robe. Oh, the love my saviour has for every soul. He would that none would perish, but that we all could have everlasting life. No matter the cost.