It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where He was laid.

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Sometimes being bold is just stepping out into the light and being seen. It’s easy in today’s culture to hide that you follow Jesus. You can slide into a service, he’s four before someone speaks to you, go about your week as if nothing is different about your life. I’ve got some news for you…that’s not what being a Christian is. In fact, Jesus says many will say look what I did for you and He will say I never knew you. It’s time for some of us to be more bold. Are you in or out? You can’t be caught in between. Jesus says there is no between…you’re either with Him or you’re not. Joseph had been hiding until this moment…which is why it’s labeled a bold move. What’s your bold move?

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave Him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down,” he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed Him and cared for His needs. Many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem were also there.

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Jesus breathed His last breath. In that moment the sacrifice was complete. The curtain was torn, and the separation between God and His people due to sin was over. Jesus became the sacrifice we desperately needed to possess hope of eternal life. Our trajectory, through Jesus, is no longer death which sin leads to…its now life in Jesus. He gave up His life so we could find ours. What a Savior we have the privilege to serve. Give Him praise today.

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. And they crucified Him. Dividing up His clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

It was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. The written notice of the charge against Him read: The King of the Jews.

They crucified two rebels with Him, one on His right and one on His left. Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and teachers of the law mocked Him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself! Let the Messiah, the king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him.

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Just reading through this scripture, I can’t help but think the words of those mocking Jesus hurt worse than the pain of the cross. Can you imagine, being crucified, for the very people who were insulting and mocking you? That’s what Jesus went through. His disciples had all ran…in fact the only disciple we have proof was even there was John. The love that Jesus displayed for us all in these moments is incomprehensible. How can we be loved that much? He went through all of this for you and me. I pray you let that truly sink in. The price for our soul was a sacrifice no one could endure but God Himself. And He did so willingly…because He loves you that much. We serve an amazing God…let your life be a reflection of His love.

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to Him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. And when they mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.

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Could you imagine…spitting in the face of Jesus? Could you imagine…striking the head of the Son of God? Could you imagine…mocking the person of Jesus? But even more, can you imagine…remaining silent as all of that was being done to you? You see, the reason He could remain silent is because He was there to defend Himself. No, He was there to defend you. Sin is ugly and cruel, and in this instance we see Jesus confront the mockery of our sin and remain love. In our weakness. He remained strong. Can you imagine…having a God that loves you so much He was willing to be beaten and flogged, spit on, and mocked…for you? It’s not a story, it’s reality. You are loved so much so that He was willing to remain silent. There is no greater love…

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

The chief priests accused Him of many things. So again Pilate asked Him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Now it was the custom of the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

“Do you want for me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

“Crucify Him!” they shouted.

“Why? What crime has He committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

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Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He knew that Jesus had done nothing, and scripture said he was aware that the chief priests had handed him over in self-interest. And yet, he handed him over to be crucified. The comfort of satisfying the crowd was too enticing for him. How about you and I? Are there moments where the comfort of the people or our surroundings causes us to bite our tongues instead of speaking about Jesus? He was flogged…severely…for a crime He didn’t commit. Why? For you…and for me. This makes it no longer about comfort. It makes it about a soul-saving Savior who deserves our praise in every area of life…not just when it’s comfortable to do so. He was chained and flogged for you. It’s time we surrender all to Him.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warning himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

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I just have to ask…the last time you sinned did it bring you tears when you realized what you had done against Jesus? You see, I feel like our culture has somewhat normalized sin. And when I say culture…I’m speaking of church culture. All you got to do is ask for forgiveness. God loves you. Yes…those are true statements. However, it should bring us to our knees when we turn our backs on Jesus in favor of a temptation this world offers. We should take our sin life more seriously as we realize the magnitude of what sin has done and continues to do. Be more like Peter…

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against Him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against Him: “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy those temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” Yet even their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned Him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at Him; they blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took Him and beat Him.

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Jesus did not defend against the accusations. He remained silent. Why? He was taking all of our guilt, shame, sin, and representing it in that moment. He was innocent…we are not. He did not deserve the trials…we do. Jesus’ silence spoke louder volumes than any word He could say. Jesus loves you and I that much. He loved us enough to remain silent. Let that sink in today. He stood innocent…but took on our guilt. The perfect example of love is on display. Give Him praise today.

Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. The men seized Jesus and arrested Him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted Him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

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The theatrics of the moment is unmatched. A large mob was used to arrest Jesus? Why? Were they afraid the eleven would try to protect Him? Were they afraid Jesus would take them all on? Was it just for show? The disconnection these religious leaders had with Jesus is staggering. Sometimes we can become disconnected from Him as well. Life catches up to us…success takes over…the world entices…and the next thing we know we have drifted away from Him. It’s important that we are always running towards Him. We need Him in our sights at all times. We should be using this time to enhance and grow our faith. So how are you really doing?

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “ABBA, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” He said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.

Returning the third time, He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

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The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I feel like that sentence describes most people. We have great intentions…we even make plans. But when it comes to following through, we give in. When it comes to repentance…we speak a big game…but when it comes to actually avoiding that sin again, we give in. When it comes to getting closer to God…we speak of wanting to do so. We want to read more, pray more, disciple more. But when it comes to actually doing those things we often fall short. It takes commitment and desire to grow your faith and avoid temptation. However, can I add that it often takes brothers and sisters around you to help you achieve this? When you’re weak they can be strong? This is why having a community of believers is so important. Lean on them n your moments of weakness…so that even when your flesh is weak…you live by the spirit.

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”

Zechariah 13:7

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today-yes, tonight-before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

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Have you ever noticed that it wasn’t just Peter who gave in…it says that every one of them told Jesus they wouldn’t fall away…and yet every one of them did. They were ordinary men, faced with the realization that they didn’t have Jesus walking with them anymore. I don’t know about you but that would frighten me too some. They were in unfamiliar territory. We find ourselves in unfamiliar territory as well…the question is, how are we (the Church) going to respond? Let’s not run and hide…but be the difference this world needs to see. This is our shot Church! Let’s not waste it!