Scripture

“So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first. “

Observation

Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus, asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. He takes it to his own new tomb and seal the entrance with a great stone.

The next day, the Sabbath, some of the leading priests and Pharisees go to Pilate. They are worried that the disciples will fake a resurrection, so they asked Pilate to seal the tomb. They fear that reports of Jesus being raised from the dead would undermine their positions.

Pilate orders some guards to seal the tomb and guard it.

Application

The Jewish leaders were terrified at the possibility that Jesus could be raised from the dead. They knew that He had often said that He would die, but on the third day He would rise again.

These leaders did not believe that Jesus would really come back to life, but they did believe that the disciples could steal the body and declare that he was risen.

It is tragic to be so locked into fear and unbelief that you have to take precautions to prevent God from intruding on your fear.

In reality, as these people would find out, you can’t keep God out of the world. If the Lord has determined to do something, no person can prevent it, no matter how powerful they seem.

God the Father was determined to set the human race free from sin. No man could have prevented Jesus’ death on the cross on the cross, and no man could prevent could prevent Jesus’ resurrection on the third day.

So we rejoice that Jesus that Jesus has purchased our eternal salvation.

Prayer

Lord God, Heavenly Father, I praise you for your gift of eternal salvation bought for me at the cross. Amen

Scripture
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.

Observation
Jesus is on the cross. At noon, darkness covers the land for three hours. Jesus calls out, “My God, why have you abandoned me?”

Jesus shouts again and releases His Spirit. At that moment, the curtain in the temple is torn from top to bottom, there is an earthquake, and many godly people are raised from the dead.

The centurion overseeing the crucifixions declares, “This man is truly the Son of God.”

Application
Jesus should never be seen as a victim of the crucifixion at the hands of human beings. He willingly went to the cross out of love for all humanity.

Jesus did not die on the cross due to the horrendous physical injuries he experienced. No, he “released his spirit.”

While many observers taunted Jesus with the demand to save himself by coming down from the cross, there was a very different goal in view. Jesus could have easily released himself from the cross. He could have summoned angels to come and minister to Him.

It was Jesus’ voluntary submission to death, despite being the Immortal son of God, that bought our salvation .

Jesus died to give us life.

That is the simple exchange of the Cross .

His death is my life.

His suffering is my atonement.

His humiliation is my vindication.

Prayer
Lord, words are not enough to express my love to you, nor to respond to your love to me. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture

“He saved others,”  they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of the Jews, is he? Let Him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!”

 Observation

The soldiers mock Jesus. They dress him up as a king, with a scarlet robe and a thorny crown. They mock Him and beat Him. Then they take him to Golgotha to be crucified.

They nail Jesus to the cross then gamble for his clothes. They sit around to guard him. A sign is hung above his head that says “Jesus, King of the Jews”

People passing by mock Him and demand He prove His identity by coming down from the cross. The leading priests and teachers of the law join in this mockery. Even the revolutionaries crucified with Jesus ridicule him.

Application

This would be the absolute lowest point for the Son of God. He is abandoned by his friends and mocked by everyone around him. He is treated like dirt at this point.

The Jewish leaders say,” He saved others, but He can’t save Himself.”  They even claim that if he gets off the cross, they will believe. But they have witnessed countless miracles and healings, even people raised from the dead, and it was not enough to convince them. Even when Jesus himself came back from the dead, they would not believe in him.

How hard of heart does a person have to be to reject all of this evidence?

This is a key to understanding people. It is not about signs and wonders, but about the heart. There are people who have experienced miracles, but remain indifferent to the Lord. Others just take a few words of explanation and they receive the Lord with passion and excitement. To those who refuse to believe, nothing will ever be enough proof.

So the Lord laid down His life for all who will receive His grace – even though it seemed a majority would reject Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the suffering, torment, and abuse of the cross. Thank you that you love me so much! Amen.

Scripture

Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours.” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death – we and our children.”

Observation

Each year the governor releases one prisoner to the crowd. Pilate gives the crowd the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal.

Pilate’s wife send a message to him, pleading for him to release Jesus, whom she says is innocent.

The crowd calls for Barabbas to be freed and Jesus to be crucified. Pilate then dramatically washes his hands, and says,” I am innocent of this man’s blood.” The crowd calls out that they and their children will take responsibility for His death.

Jesus is sent to be flogged and crucified.

Application

Pilate paints himself as a victim in the dispute over Jesus. He sees that Jesus has committed no crime, but out of fear, he hands Jesus over to be flogged and crucified.

The Jewish leaders and the crowd, on the other hand, call for the blood guilt to be on themselves and their children.

Every single person that has ever lived shares in the guilt over Jesus’ death. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. It is for this reason that Jesus came and died. Only people who have never sinned are truly free of the guilt over Jesus’ death.

But God graciously forgives all of our sins because of the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah! He is the one who sets is free from sin, once and for all.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Thank you for your forgiveness. Amen.

Scripture

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realised that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.

Observation

The priests and Elders take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor .

When Judas realises that Jesus is going to die, he is filled with remorse. He takes the payment for his betrayal back to the priests and elders. He tells them “I have betrayed an innocent man.”

Judas throws the coins down in the temple and goes out and hangs himself. The priests pick up the coins, and they decide to buy a Potter’s field to use as a cemetery. This fulfils the prophecy in Zachariah 11:12-13.

Pilate questions Jesus, asking him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”Hhe replies, “You have said it.”

The priests and elders bring their accusations against Jesus, but He makes no response, much to the governor’s surprise.

Application

Judas is filled with remorse, but he does not repent of his sins.

Remorse is about feeling bad for my actions, but not necessarily about seeking God’s forgiveness, nor turning away from sin. Lots of people feel guilt at times, but they do not turn that guilt into repentance. They fail to connect their sin to God’s law and God’s mercy.

If Judas had repented, he would have been forgiven by Jesus. He did not have to hang himself; he could have experienced the abundant life that comes from following Christ.

The contrast with Peter is very clear. Peter denied he even knew Jesus. but he repented, and Jesus welcomed him back into the fold. But for Judas, there was no way back because he did not repent.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for the assurance that no sin is too big for you to forgive as long as I repent. Amen.

Scripture

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I am lying – I don’t know the man.” Immediately, the rooster crowed.

Observation

While Jesus is undergoing a show trial, Peter is in the courtyard outside. A servant girl says to him, “You were with Jesus the Galilean.” Peter denies this.

Later, another servant girl tells the people standing around that Peter was with Jesus. Again Peter denies it.

Later still, a group of people together accuse Peter of being a disciple of Jesus. He denies this with a curse. Then the rooster crows, and Peter goes away weeping bitterly .

Application

Peter calls down a curse on himself to emphasise the fact that he is not lying – even though he is, in fact, lying.

A curse is a kind of negative prayer that invites and and empowers demons to bring misfortune, illness, and other forms of suffering into a person’s life.

It can be simple words, like a mother saying to a child, “You will never amount to anything.” It can be more elaborate, as in Peter’s self curse.

Sometimes curses spoken by our ancestors can flow down through the family tree to influence us.

The good news is that Jesus is greater than any curse. His blessings overcome the curses and the malevolence of satan.

All we need to do is break every curse in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Prayer

Father, thank you that Jesus has broken every curse in my life. I just claim that blessing now. I break every curse in my life in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Scripture

Jesus replied,“You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Observation

Judas comes with a crowd of armed men. He kisses Jesus, according to a pre-arranged signal. The men arrest Jesus. One of the disciples waves a sword, slashing off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. Jesus tells him to put away the sword. He then meekly goes away with the guards.

Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas the High Priest. The priests and the high council try to find witnesses who will lie about Jesus. Finally, they find two men who declare that Jesus had said He was able to tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days.

Jesus then tells them He is the Messiah and that he will come on the clouds of heaven. The High Priest tears his clothes and says “Blasphemy!”

They decide that Jesus is guilty and deserves to die.

Application

The phrase “coming on the clouds of heaven” is an expression that means to judge a people. In this case, Jesus is saying that these priests will recognise that He is the Messiah when He comes in judgement against the Jewish religious system. This happened in the year 70, when the whole of Jerusalem, and the Temple in particular, were destroyed by the Roman legions.

Recognising Jesus as the Messiah is not a matter of opinion or a religious preference. Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God whether we want to believe it or not. He will judge these who resist or oppose His rule .

If Jesus really is the Son of God, the only rational response is to worship Him as such an to determine to obey Him. This is called becoming a disciple or being born again.

Everyone will see the Son of Man seated the right hand of God. Those who acknowledge him as Lord will be raised to life. But those who reject him face everlasting torment.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you truly are the Son of Man. I praise you and I worship you. Amen.

Scripture

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Observation

As they go to the Mount of Olives, Jesus says to his disciples that that night they will all desert Him. Peter declares that he will never abandon Jesus. But Jesus tells him that very night, Peter will deny three times that he even knows Jesus.

They go to the grove called Gethsemane. Jesus tells them to stay there, taking Peter, James, and John a little further. He asks them to keep watch with Him.

After a while, Jesus returns to the three to find that they are asleep. Again He prays and returns a second time to find them asleep.

Finally Jesus returns a third time and find that Judas has arrived with some guards to arrest Him.

Application

The words of Jesus to his disciples are relevant to us today. “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give into temptation. For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

We cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. The fleshy part of us is too weak. If we depend on our own virtue, Satan will trip us up every time.

The key is to put the flesh to death, to crucify our old nature. Then we will realise that we have no strength of ourselves and must fully rely on Christ.

“Keep watch and pray.” Jesus tells us we must stay alert for the signs of the evil one. We must recognise patterns of temptation so that we can see the attack coming.

Then we must pray as earnestly is Jesus did. Pray for the ability to stand firm in Christ. Pray for all sorts of other things also. It is this close intimacy with God that allows us to overcome evil.

Prayer

Lord, when I am tempted, please remind me to pray and to seek you. There is no good thing that I can do of myself, but you sustain me and keep me. Amen.

Scripture

He took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus where they are to celebrate the Passover. He give them directions, and they prepare the feast.

Jesus sits down with his disciples. He says that one of them will betray Him. Distressed, they each ask, “Is it me?” Jesus replies that one of them will do it, and it would be better if he had never been born.

Jesus takes some bread, blesses it, and gives it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body.” Then he takes a cup of wine and says that it is His blood in God’s covenant.

They sing a hymn and go to the Mount of Olives.

Application

The sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself. The simple act of eating bread and drinking wine reminds us of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.

The bread is his broken body. The wine is the blood that confirms the covenant God has made with His people on the cross.

Some christians make light of the sacraments, but we do this at our peril. Paul tells us that if we participate in an unworthy manner, we bring judgement on ourselves.

We underestimate the power of symbols. In Communion, we are eating Christ’s body and drinking His blood. We consume Christ to maintain our life. He is in us by the Holy Spirit. The church shares a common loaf of bread and a common cup of wine to illustrate that we are unified in Christ.

Communion and baptism provide spiritual power to the church. As important as preaching and the gifts of the Spirit are, we must never neglect the sacraments.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you died for me at Calvary. Please help me to appreciate the depth of your love for me. Amen.

Scripture

“She has poured perfume on the me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deeds will be remembered and discussed.”

Observation

The leading priests and elders start plotting to capture and kill Jesus. But they don’t want to do it during the Passover for fear of a riot.

Jesus is in Bethany, where a woman comes in with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume which she pours over Jesus’ head. The disciples are indignant at this extravagant waste. Jesus tells them that she has done a good thing, effectively preparing his body for burial. What she has done will be remembered all over the world.

Judas then goes to the priests to offer to betrayed Jesus.

Application

Everything is coming together for the crucifixion. The priests are plotting. Judas is ready to hand Jesus over. This woman, in an active extravagant worship, is preparing Jesus’ body for burial.

There are always people who want to limit how the church may worship the Lord. They see expressions of love as a waste of limited resources.

Other people don’t count the cost. They just want to love on Jesus without restraint.

The fact is that God will supply all that we need to express our love for Him. If he calls you to donate generously, even recklessly, to a mission or to a church, you can be sure that he will look after you and provide more than enough for you.

I experienced this when we first started our church. We literally had nothing, but we were able to feed our family, furnish our building, and give generously to other ministries. I have seen this pattern reproduced in other people over the years .

Prayer

Father, thank you so much for your provision and for the great gift of salvation. Please help me to give back to you as generously and as extravagantly as this woman in Bethany. Amen .