This chapter is Friday of Holy Week...no matter how many times I have read and talked about Jesus' crucifixion- it upsets me each time.
The time frame with this first verse is important...immediately in the morning. Roman rule was that work could not start before sun up- so the "trail" of Jesus couldn't have started before then. Jesus was taken to Pilate, Jews couldn't condemn to death, so they had to have a Roman leader do that. Pilate was known as a mean and vengeful leader, cruel and insensitive to others;; historically- he also has a know dislike for Jews-- this may have caused him to have some suspicion about them sending Jesus to him! Jesus couldn't be asked if he was God (or a god) because Rome had plenty of gods- what would one more mean, so Pilate asks the question- are you king (v 2)? I like Jesus' response (at this point I still imagine him with a snarky tone, but I don't know if he would have the energy to do that). Jesus responds with- That's what you say! How would we respond if someone asked you if Jesus was king? Jesus can't say yes- otherwise he would immediately be condemned to death as Rome could only have one ruler/king.No other response form Jesus. Do you think people were expecting a response? Was Pilate expecting more?
Pilate "knew" or assumed Jesus was innocent (vv 6-14) as the leading priests brought Jesus there because "They were jealous" (v 10). Pilate thought he may have had an out- they would request Jesus be freed and Barabbas would stay on death row as he was convicted for treason (v 7). Pilate wasn't a fan of the chief priests, so this was a way to "get back at them."
When asked who should be set free, the crowd selects Barabbas (v 12- 15)- after all- he was an enemy of Rome! What a way to get back at Rome! The last chapter was about Peter's denial of Christ. What about the denial of Christ by "the multitude" here in Jerusalem? Contrary to "popular belief", Pilate was trying to be a good person and trying to let Jesus go free. I think sometimes Pilate gets a bad wrap (like Judas) in the death of Christ. He probably could have done more, but he was tied by the law too and had to save face when he went back to Rome. Jesus was sentenced to crucifixion.
The first "step" in crucifixion is the scourging or whipping (v 15). From a resource I have: “As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. Pain and blood loss generally set the stage for circulatory shock. The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive the cross.”
The purple robe was probably a cast off piece of Roman clothing; purple was the color of royalty. More beating continued. The Roman solders were in a high state of alert, as the Passover was a time of messianic expectation, and this probably added some fervor to the beating.
The crossbar of the crucifix (typically between 80 and 100 pounds) was tied to Jesus' hands; he was likely stripped naked for added humiliation. The walk to Golgotha begins. Simon of Cyrene (about 800 miles away), probably in Jerusalem for the Passover was required by the Roman guards to carry the crossbeam; the idea was to keep Jesus alive until the crucifixion as death from crucifixion was more of a deterrent than "regular death" How would you have felt having to carry Jesus' cross bream? Is this what Jesus means when he said "carry your own cross"? Just a quick new thought for me. The man's name was Simon from Cyrene- where was Simon Peter, the disciple that just denied Jesus the night before?
Jesus' crucifixion happens on Golgotha, "The Skull", located just outside the city gates- as a warning to people entering Jerusalem- this is how we treat criminals. The place may have been called "The Skull" form all the bones and skulls littered around from the many crucifixions that have occurred.
Jesus was given an opportunity to numb the pain with an analgesic (v 23); this (wine mixed with myrrh) was frequently done by women that watched the crucifixion as a way to help decrease the sensitivity to pain. Jesus refused (v 23). How does that make you feel- Jesus chose to feel the entire excruciating pain of execution for you?
Jesus is raised up on the cross. Two criminal, one on each side, are with him (v 27). In Luke 23:39-43, we hear one of the criminals ask for forgiveness. The criminal is the one who really knows who Jesus is at this point! The mocking continues, now from Jewish brothers and sisters (v 31- 32) rather than the Roman guards. I think some people did have faith in Jesus and they did want to do something great at this point. They were still expecting Jesus to be a king and take over the government. Disappointment in Jesus had really set in.
As Jesus dies, he recites Psalm 22 (v 34); Jesus had never experienced separation from God- until this point in Jesus' life. Where was God when Jesus was on the cross?
The people at the base of the cross misheard Jesus thinking he had cried out for Elijah; Jesus cried out "Eloi" not Elijah (v 36b). Out of all the words Jesus spoke, this is the only one people really listened to, and they got that wrong too. Do we really listen and hear what Jesus has to say?
Upon Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple was torn (v 38)- top to bottom- indicating God tore it- not humans! I think some of the saddest words at the crucifixion are the words from the Roman centurion (v 39b) when he says, "This man really was the Son of God." We then have a list of Jesus' most faithful disciples (v 40). Would you have been in that list, or would you have deserted Jesus?
Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for the body. Customarily, executed people were left on the cross until they rotted or were eaten by scavengers; they didn't even get a proper burial, however, the Jews wouldn't have wanted a body on display like this during the Passover. Pilate grants Joseph's request.
Jesus is removed from the cross, wrapped hurriedly in linen (it is close to sundown on Friday and the Sabbath will be here soon) and moved into the tomb that was purchased by Joseph of Arimathea. They wold come back later, after the Sabbath, to finish the proper burial for Jesus...or would they?!
It is interesting that we read the chapter of Good Friday on a Friday!
When we com back on Monday we will finish with chapter 16 of Mark and then begin our next book- Galatians!
Have a great weekend. Stay warm!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
This really is a difficult chapter to read! Especially if you truly think about what is happening to Jesus. I read once that the person who played Jesus in the film The Passion said that during the scourging scene - where the actor wore protection and "fake skin" - the tip of a whip happened to touch his skin. He said it hurt so bad he almost passed out - one little tip. How did Jesus do this for us? And not just once, but to suffer many things for several days. I think it's interesting that you state the Jews could not condemn someone to death, only the Romans could, and yet in the last chapter - vs. 64 - it says that the Pharisees and Scribes condemned Jesus to be guilty of death because of blasphemy - which I think requires one to be stoned to death. How did that work? And since there are several accounts of Jews being stoned to death by other Jews - how did that work? Did the Pharisees want Jesus to be put to death at the hands of the Romans to clear them of any wrong doing? Or did they want Jesus to suffer the crucifixion? Or were they afraid to order a stoning of Jesus? Or did they want Jesus to be found guilty in a Roman trial? I think the Pilate did want Jesus to answer and I think Pilate wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair. He tried sending Jesus to Herod but that didn't work. And then Pilate tried to have the people ask to set Jesus free, but that didn't work either. Pilate then had no choice. I don't know how to answer the question - is Jesus King - certainly not in the earthly sense, but maybe in heaven? I am not sure. I wonder who was in the "multitude"? Since there were hundreds of thousands of visitors, did they even know who Jesus was? Or what was happening? And since they were there for the Passover, wouldn't they just automatically believe the chief priests when they moved among the crowd urging them to say - crucify him? And being the holiday of Passover, I wonder how many women would have been there? I have to admit that your quoting your source of the first step of a crucifixion made me sick to my stomach. I cannot imagine even watching it, much less experiencing it. Of course in hindsight, I want to be the person who carries Jesus' cross. But if I was there, and the Roman guards pulled me in to carry the cross, of a man I may or may not know or believe, with all the agitation going on in the crowd, I would not want to do it for fear of retribution to me. It seems like the apostles were all hiding at that point - and I don't blame them. They had no idea how far reaching the chief priest's hatred was. Someone would have to be terribly brave to do something for Jesus at this point because they would not only be going against the Romans (who already treated them badly) but also the chief priests. If you believed in Jesus and shouted for Him at the trial or at the crucifixion, would you then be accused of blasphemy? I think God was where He always is, with us, in us, around us - as He was with Jesus at that time. I think Jesus felt He had to suffer the complete experience of crucifixion to be a complete sacrifice and fulfil the prophesy and not take anything to lessen the pain. I think the saddest words Jesus spoke was "It is finished." How sad He must have been knowing there was nothing more He could do for us. He tried it all, and then it was done. I hope that I would be on the list of disciples at the cross. I hope I am on that list now.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up some good points. Jews could condemn people to death- but they needed a majority of the council (Sanhedrins) and there had to be two witnesses proclaiming the capitol offense. Jesus never committed a capitol offense. He was "just" healing and proclaiming= something many prophets before him did. Also, crucifixion was reserved for Rome only. (Stoning, hanging, beheading were all acceptable!) That's why Jesus was sent to Pilate- Pilate could crucify. Plus, the Sanhedrin needed Rome' s approval for executions. Hope that helps some.You bring up lots of good points!
DeleteOne point- I am sure there were many women in Jerusalem for Passover- how else wold the men eat!! Entire families came to Jerusalem for the Passover- so there were plenty of women.
The anger of the high priest is something you mention-= and many people would not want to go against that for fear of death too!
Lots of thoughts and questions!
Good points DOnna!
A sad chapter as Jesus is tried and crucified Pilate three times couldn't find Jesus guilty I found this interesting as that was how many times Peter denied Jesus Pilate however gave over to the demands of the crowd and ordered Jesus to be crucified. What agony Jesus must have suffered from the beatings etc with nails driven into his hands and feet Plus the weight of the trillion and trillions of sins He was suffering for. The women continued to stay with Jesus though it all even though the disciples had abandoned Him. i also found it interesting that in Mark it says that the criminals who were crucified beside Jesus mocked Him ,there is no mention of the one asking for forgiveness?? How frightening it must have been for it to become dark in the middle of the day and last aging 3 hours (there is that number three again) that alone should have told the religious leaders that Jesus was the Messiah then the renting of the curtain temple another.
ReplyDeleteJesus seemed to die faster than most crucified victims (I think it took time usually to die when crucified) perhaps from the beatings and also to stabbing of the spear in his side as if He had lived past sundown (the sabbath was after sundown) his body couldn't have been taken and buried in the tomb. This would prove that he rose from the dead as his tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers and a large stone was rolled in front of the tomb.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Hmmm...you bring up the number three lots! Just taking a guess...maybe three is "special" because of the trinity?
DeleteYou bring up some good points and interesting thoughts Clara! Thanks!
This chapter makes me think about how many evil people have been in world over the ages. Are we made in Gods image? What does that really mean? How can people be so hateful to fellow human beings? Just think about how many times through the ages people have suffered by the hands of others. We all think of the Holocaust but that was only one incident. I read a book about how immigrant children in New York who had no parents in the early 1800s were put on trains and taken across OUR country. At stops people could take children to work in their farms, watch children, be treated like slaves. And what about the slaves from Africa? Do we all have the propensity to be cruel, mean people?
ReplyDeleteJesus must have known that His life after death would be worth what he is going through. He loved God enough to be totally obedient. How can we be grateful enough.
Good introductory comments-- how can we be made in God's image?! You bring up many points about peoples' cruelty to others. Sometimes it is just so hard to hear and imagine!
DeleteAnd are we grateful enough?
Lots of good points Cathy! Thanks!
Oh my this is so sad. To give so much for others. Reading Cathy’s comments about people being so hateful is just so hard to understand and you would think by now we would have learned better. It is so disappointing. These are such powerful readings and such a pivotal part of our faith. I use to be involved with St. Margaret Mary’s youth group. During lent our youth would act out the Living Stations of the cross. Several years we took it to the Elmira Correctional Facility. I was always moved by these performances even though I had witnessed it many time but the prison experience was so very powerful. What we had to go through just to get inside the prison was an experience for all of us. But to watch this performance and the reaction of these inmates was so moving. When Jesus meets his mother there was always weeping from the inmates. You would sit there and think these are all someone’s child. I was very grateful that my children had the opportunity to experience this.
ReplyDeleteI also hope I would be on the list of disciples and it’s hard to believe we could ever be grateful enough.
What a great story about going to Elmira. And a very sobering comment- these are someone's children. We don't think of that do we?
DeleteGreat thoughts! Thanks Cindy!
I have heard this story many times. Jesus went willingly to his own death. Sometimes I wonder how God the father felt seeing his son Jesus suffer so. I don't even like to see my son's get hurt. Many people hear Easter is coming,they take time off from work, new clothes, kids think easter baskets. Some people don't even know that Jesus suffered so much,just so we as sinners, can be saved and thru him can enter heaven. The disciples didn't like to be fooled,they retreated into there own comfort zone of disbelief.
ReplyDeleteI think you are so correct-- when we hear Easter we think of good thoughts and happy times- but we don't think of Good Friday or the events leading up to it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Rose Marie!
Well, unfortunately I didn't read the Good Friday chapter on Friday, but on Sunday morning. It was still very troubling, because I see the same things happening today. You ask "Where was God when Jesus was on the cross?" I ask "Where is God today?" As a nation, we have forsaken God and that is a travesty. I am afraid that our national motto "In God We Trust" will be subject to change in the near future and that all references to God will be removed. I believe in God as I cannot believe that all the universe and life on earth just "happened". No, a Supreme Being created it all and we have to fear and worship Him. As to what happens after we die, I don't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteAs for the trial by Pilate, I wonder if the crowd turned on Jesus because of all the miracles He performed? Were they suspicious of Him? It seems strange to me that Jesus attracted so many followers during his travels, but they all must have deserted Him in Jerusalem. I believe that Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus and he would have let Him go, except for the crowd. Crowd rule? Do we see that today? I say the answer is "Yes". Did this crowd believe in God? I don't know if they were Jews or who they were. Mark says that the chief priests, elders and scribes brought Jesus to Pilate because they wanted Him executed and they couldn't kill him but the Romans could. Mark doesn't comment on the make up of the crowd only to say it was festival time (the Passover). Did I miss something?
I would like to think I would be on the list of disciples, but I don't know if I have the backbone to endure the hatred and ridicule I would receive. There is so much hatred in the world - both on Good Friday and all the way through history to the present time. I don't know how I would react if I were on the list of disciples, but I know I would have a difficult time with the ridicule I would be subject to.
Tough question to start the day Jack! I have had many people ask these last several months- Where is God? The correct pastoral answer is God is here with us...but that doesn't always help!
ReplyDeleteI think you have an good idea- people turned from Jesus because they were expecting a miracle from him at the time of his trial. They were expecting greatness and a fight from the future king- but they didn't get anything! The crowd was mostly Jews- it was Passover in Jerusalem so many Jews would have made the trip to be at the Temple during this time. I am sure there were Roman citizens there- possibly to incite matters?
It would be tough to be a disciple, but we all live it today! Keep the faith and keep doing good.
Nice comments Jack. Thanks!