Reflect

Engage in quiet reflection on your personal journey to the Cross thus far. What has God spoken to you in the quietness of your Spirit? Though it is a sad journey at times, what gifts of joy has focusing on Jesus' final days brought to you? Worship the living Lord who gave Himself for you as you think on these things.

Ephesians 5:2 says ...and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.. See the events of Jesus' final days as a fragrant aroma to God -- an offering on your behalf. Write a prayer of thanksgiving in your journal.

Read

The Roman centurion issues an official order to arrest Jesus of Nazareth as the soldiers slip a rope over his head. Priests hiding their glee, hasten home to gather the high court. Jesus examines the faces that surround him. Does anyone look at him -- really look at him? Do they notice the tenderness in his eyes or the lines of sorrow etched on his face?

Someone pulls on the rope, as Jesus plummets forward. The fateful trip down Mount Olivet has begun. Only 100 feet below, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters sleep off their Passover meal in peace, unaware of the catastrophic events to come.

The cumbersome group reaches Jerusalem quickly, taking care to keep their prisoner obscured from pre-dawn worshipers. Down dark and empty streets soldiers push and pull at the Christ, caring nothing for his welfare. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.

After a while they reach the palatial residence of the Roman governor. From daunting towers, guards observe the procession as it stops outside the gate. The soldiers, tired from the long night, await orders to return to their barracks.

For a while it seems as if everyone has forgotten Jesus. He gazes at the incredible architecture of Castle Antonia, knowing that it was built to protect the temple he will soon be accused of plotting to destroy. Does his heart grieve for the form of religion the impressive edifice now represents? For the rules and regulations that have replaced relationship with the living God, in the hearts of His chosen people?

Voices begin to rise as leaders of the various factions argue about what should happen next. The priests demand that they turn Jesus over to them, as their own court is gathering even now to deal with the situation. The soldiers talk amongst themselves, concluding with relief that this is indeed a religious issue. They release him and Jesus is pulled along once again. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.

After a while the priests and temple guard reach two great palaces, side by side. They pause, unsure what to do. One palace belongs to Caiphas their leader, whose orders they now follow. But before that is the home of Annas, his father-in-law.

Everyone knows that Annas is the most powerful Jew in all Judea. Though no longer the official chief priest, he continues to rule behind the scenes with an iron hand. With five sons, a grandson and a son-in-law as high priests, his influence is far-reaching. What would their chief priest emeritus think if he saw them leading the procession past his house?

At that moment, Annas appears on his bedroom balcony, beckoning them to bring the prisoner into his audience chambers. Eager to watch the old master handle the situation, the religious leaders scramble for a spot within the palace walls, thrusting Jesus to the front.

A hush fills the room as Annas enters. With beady eyes he scans the crowd, stopping at the man he's heard so much about. He glares at Jesus as if sizing up an opponent before a fight, while his mind races. Can this be the one? Can this be the revolutionary who has turned our city upside down -- whose angry outburst in the temple cost me a day's profits?

The thought of his financial losses irks Annas all over again, and he relishes ideas of what he could do to Jesus. If only I didn't have to abide by these ridiculous requirements of law. Everyone knows that trials must take place after dawn before a quorum of Sanhedrin. Finally the old man breaks the strained silence.

"Where then are your followers, Jesus of Nazareth? What has happened to those men you call disciples? Huh?" Annas sneers and shakes his head.

"And what exactly do you teach? Come, enlighten me."

Jesus ponders the question and for the first time since his arrest, opens his mouth to speak: "I've never tried to hide what I teach. You know I've been in the temple and synagogues -- hundreds have heard me. Why don't you ask some of them what I have taught?"

A stinging crack fractures the uneasy tension in the room as one of the temple guards slaps Jesus: "Is that the way you answer the high priest?"

Annas, secretly enjoying the show, says nothing.

Jesus ignores the biting pain. This wound is one of many more to come, mild by comparison. He looks cautiously toward the guard. "If what I have said is wrong, then be a witness against me. But if not, then why hit me?"

Appalled at his audacity, the guard pulls back to strike again. This time Annas stops him, silencing the murmuring crowd. "Enough of this. Tighten his ropes and take him to Caiphas. I have no more use for him."

And he who came to set prisoners free is bound once again. The Prince of Peace has become a spectacle, an evening's entertainment for the religious elite. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, the carpenter from Nazareth stumbles along, closing the curtain on one more scene in this desperate drama.

Respond

Consider the journey for Jesus -- from Gethsemane to Jerusalem. Think of being bound -- pulled by a rope around the neck like a dog. Hear the jubilant cries of those who plotted his arrest. Feel the humiliation of being shoved in front of the chief priest. As you think on these things, remember that there was never a moment when Jesus was not choosing his own path -- He came for this purpose.

Read the following passage aloud, thoughtfully, personalizing it.

Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to you, O LORD; for although you were angry with me, your anger is turned away, and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-2

Write out a prayer of affirmation based on these verses.

A Prayer

Oh Lord, they hit you -- a stinging slap echoes in my ears even now. I want to cry at the injustice of it all. I feel your pounding heart, your swelling cheek . . . Dearest friend of sinners, I too am one jerking the rope, pulling you closer to the Cross. My sins, my sins supply stinging slaps to your precious face. Keep me so close to your heart, that I may never get past this troubling reality.

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