Judas Betray Jesus
Judas repents of his betrayal toward Jesus. Yet overcome with grief and regret, sadly Judas commits suicide. When someone wants to take their life, thoughts of negativity and evil wrap around their souls, shrouding the beauty they were created to emanate: the image of the living God. We are image bearers of the living God and He as our loving Father, is quick to forgive us of any offense if we come to Him with true repentance. One has to wonder if Judas would have known this, he could have been healed, heart and soul, so as not to take his own life.
What we think of ourselves has great power in determining how we treat ourselves. Negative thoughts and no good notions aid in weakening our resolve for all that our souls were created to receive: everything good, Godly and peaceful. Words have the power to kill and issue forth life, so be careful at how you view yourself and how you speak to others.
Jesus, Humble to the End
Jesus is self-less, even toward those who had such hatred toward Him to go so far as to want Him dead. Though the religious leaders interrogated Him bringing up false accusations, Jesus didn’t answer them, but he did respond to Pontius Pilate. Yet even with Pilate, Jesus was self-less and gave no defense of Himself against the charges of the religious leaders. Even the crowds were filled with bitter rage to see Jesus dead as they exclaimed, “His blood be on us and our children.” Its a reminder of how its best not to defend yourself against those who accuse you, but think what is good about them and pray for those that spitefully use you, as God Himself will be your defender. Love endures all things, and Jesus’ love was beyond intellectual understanding, for the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all and He demonstrated it by sacrificing His life for His accusers and all of humanity.
Jesus Condemned to Death
Jesus was humiliated being stripped of His clothes, having a crown of thorns placed on His head, ridiculed, mocked, spat upon, hit over the head with a reed staff, which no doubt lodged the crown of thorns into His temples, beaten with leather straps which were embedded with sharp pieces of metal; When one ponders the passion of Jesus, the agony He endured, the shame He withstood, the eminence pain He felt, one can’t help but feel His suffering love for all of humanity. Love is as strong as the finality of death and will compel even the most selfish of us to open our hearts and consider others around us, as this was the Mind of Christ Jesus. Love, Paul says, is what all of us should posses as our foundation, for without it, the gifts and work of God will be meaningless offerings that have no value to Him.
Jesus endured so much for us having been nailed to the cross. His hands and feet pierced in pain all for the sake of His undying love…for us. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Isaiah 53:10), for the sake of baring the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12), for He came to Earth to be the salvation for all of humanity. As He hung there, He was offered a mild painkiller, a drink of wine mixed with gall, yet Jesus denied it. It’s a testament to His deep feelings toward us to endure the pain for the sake of us.
The Death of the Saviour
Jesus gave up His life and died. While He lived, often supernaturally He raised people from the dead. Now, because of His death many supernaturally were raised from the dead and walked among the living. The beauty in His pain of death was that His life brought forth more life to others; its what He came to do, bring abundant life. Those who tormented and crucified Him, after the earthquake realized the gravity of who He was: Truly the Son of God.
Devoted Disciples Bury Jesus
Joseph of Arimathaea was another devoted disciple to Jesus to take His precious body, clean it up and give Him a proper resting place. What an honor of great care. Mary Magdalene and Mary of James and Jacob and the mother of Zebedee were other devoted disciples of Jesus and were said to have ministered to Him in His Earthly ministry.
Guard Over His Tomb
The Pharisees and chief priests stuck with their unbelief to the end by having Roman guards stand outside of Jesus tomb, for they heard Him say He would be raised from the dead after 3 days. However so, they must have had an inkling that Jesus words about His resurrection were true, had they not, they would not have had guards to stand near His tomb.
Summary
- A hardened heart can’t hear the truth
- Be ready to be used like Joseph of Arimathaea
- Never underestimate the power of God
- Pay attention to your dreams
- The price He paid is still active today
- Minister to Jesus needs
- Jesus death gives us life
- Power of Jesus’ immeasurable love
- Don’t diminish our loss at the cross or your soul will be lost
