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Good Friday
5:25 PM
This is the time of year when we remember the work that Jesus did for us through His life.
Last week, Pastor Theresa talked about Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem which was the fulfillment of the prophecy written in Zechariah 9:9
This happened as the time of Passover was approaching.
The Jewish people had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem as commanded by God through Moses.
So, there were crowds of people that did gather along the way as Jesus entered the city.
And, as it happens, as the sun sets this evening, April 15 2022, Passover begins (it ends as the sun sets on on Saturday, April 23)
This Sunday is Easter when we celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead which is also the fulfillment of prophecy as written in Psalm 16:9–11
But how did this joyful and triumphal crowd that received Jesus as He came into Jerusalem just a few days before turn into a mob shouting “Crucify Him”?
God had a plan and in these few days, during the time leading to what we call “Good Friday”, God’s plan was unveiled.
While there are prophetic words in the old testament about God’s plan, this plan was hidden and no one understood what would happen until after it was done.
It says in 1 Corinthians 2:8
This day that we call Good Friday is the day we commemorate Jesus death on the cross.
This time of Jesus crucifixion is the time of His greatest sorrow and pain.
It is also is the moment where the power of sin and death was broken over our lives which is why we can call it a “Good” day.
As it says in Romans 5:21
Before we go forward through the events immediately following the triumphal entry, lets look at the government and religious culture of the day.
5:30 PM
The Culture of the Day
We may think that after 2,000 years, we are far evolved from their culture.
But lets take just a few minutes to look at the government of the Roman Empire and the religious leadership that were predominant in Jerusalem.
The Roman Empire
The roman empire was just coming into the height of its power when the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar was named in 27 AD.
This marked the end of a long period of unrest and civil war.
It also marked a period of peace and stability that lasted nearly 200 years.
There was though, this ongoing fear of insurrection and rebellion.
In this society:
The senate and equestrian classes (including Augustus) enjoyed great wealth from conquered peoples and trade while ninety-seven percent of those in the Empire lived in some degree of poverty.
Rome’s citizens received a free monthly distribution of grain to each family in conjunction with monthly games (referred to as “bread and circus”).
The military received compensation including monthly salaries, discharge payments, opportunity for full Roman citizenship, and land grants for many who served twenty-five years or more.
And 30% of the population were slaves whose only legal status was that they served at the whim of their owner.
What did Roman Rule look like?
Rome imposed heavy taxation (Mark 2:15 (NLT) “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.
(There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)”
Rome partnered with local elites to use their loyalty as an extension of his rule.
These “client rulers” profited greatly from their allegiance.
Rome achievement relative peace and order by use of the death penalty.
The Governor released one prisoner a year at the request of the people but others were crucified.
Is the United States Different?
Using data from 2011-2022
The “equestrian class”, the top 10% of the richest people in the United States own almost 70% of the country’s total wealth.
49.2% of U.S. households received benefits from one or more government programs.
A state of national emergency was declared beginning March 1, 2020 and on February 18, 2022 President Biden continued the national emergency without any end date.
This gives special powers to the government for use of the military, national guard, curfews, travel restrictions and more.
The bottom 50% of U.S. residents only held 2% of all of U.S. wealth and more than 1 out of every 10 Americans lived below the poverty threshold.
The the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council)
The Sanhedrin (Council) handled local problems and religious questions and acted as the ruling government of Israel.
However, they were “client rulers” to Rome so always needed to maintain their allegiance to Rome.
All they did was subject to Rome’s supervision.
The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy members plus the current high priest, who presided over the group.
These were the wealthy, intellectual, and powerful men of Jerusalem.
They were the rulers, elders, and teachers of religious law and the “Sadducees” held a majority.
This was the Council that condemned Jesus to death (Luke 22:66) but they could not carry out this death sentence without Rome’s approval.
Is the Church Today any Different?
There is no one “Council” but there are many denominations
Largest Christian denomination in the U.S., by number of adherents - Catholic
Largest Christian denomination in the U.S., by number of congregations - Evangelical and Conservative Protestant
Largest church among Evangelical and Conservative Protestant denominations in the U.S., by number of adherents - Southern Baptist Convention
Largest church among Mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S., by number of congregations - United Methodist Church
Nearly all denominations operate under state or federal regulation
The Church has no legal penal authority and even less local ruling power than in Jesus day.
5:35 PM
So now, what events happened after the triumphal entry?
Many today, on Good Friday, will virtually trace the steps of Jesus through Jerusalem to His Crucifixion.
If we were in Jerusalem, we would follow the “Via Dolorosa” which is Latin for “Sorrowful Way” or “Way of Suffering”).
This route through the Old City of Jerusalem is believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion.
The route goes from Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a distance of about 600 meters ( a little less than half a mile).
The route was established in the 18th century.
Today it is marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross, the final five stations of which are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Stations of the Cross
We are using the “New Way of the Cross” used by the Catholic Church in the Philippines because it includes a few additional key events beginning with the Last Supper.
First station: The Last Supper
Jesus had sent two of his disciples ahead to prepare a place for this meal in Luke 22:8
As they joined together for this meal, Jesus began to talk to them about His suffering in Luke 22:15-16
This is where Jesus instituted what we call “the Lord’s Supper” or “Communion”.
This is where He said “my body is given for you” and “my blood is poured out for you”
This is where the prophetic words in Isaiah 53:4-6
“with his stripes we are healed” and
“the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”
are given meaning for us as they are about to be fulfilled.
Jesus wanted us to have this time of his suffering in our minds as we partake of communion.
Jesus also wanted us to look forward to the day when He will return to eat together with us at the wedding supper of the lamb in Revelation 19:7-9.
While we have this great covenant that we are reminded of through communion and this great future hope “fulfilled in the Kingdom of God”,
The suffering of Jesus begins with betrayal in Luke 22:21-22
This betrayal came from one of his own disciples, Judas.
Betrayal came from one that was sitting right there and eating with him.
But the betrayal was bigger than just Judas, it was made possible by the scheme of the Council of Leaders that had determined that Jesus should die.
Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you?
Have you ever faced a situation where other people made decisions about your future without any thought about what was best for you?
Do you know anyone that has faced corporate downsizing, or off-shoring or other decisions that put money in someone else’s pocket at your expense?
Or have you ever fallen prey to some confidence scheme where smiles and promises left you with nothing?
Jesus understands what it means to be abused for another’s personal gain.
5:45 PM
After the supper, Jesus headed to the Garden of Gethsemane
Second station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
This garden was a place Jesus and hid disciples had been to before.
It wasn’t unusual for Him to come here and pray.
As they arrive, Jesus said to them in Matthew 26:36
All of the disciples were together with him there and he asked them to wait.
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