Leading Up To The Cross
During this time of Lent, much is centered around the cross. We know that Jesus’ death on the cross represents salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Jesus’ death represents love. Let’s look at the events that led up to the cross.
Remember the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus prayed to his Father. We remember these words that Jesus spoke. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus willingly went to the cross.
Remember the betrayal of Judas and Jesus’ arrest? Jesus asked Judas, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)
Jesus knew betrayal by friends and brutal treatment by enemies.
Remember when Peter denied Jesus three times? “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” (Luke 22:61)
Jesus knows each of us so well.
Then came the trials. First, two illegal trials by night. This was prohibited and outside the law, but it happened. The next day, Jesus had 4 other trials. He was accused, mocked, mistreated and rejected. He was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, the Sanhedrin, King Herod, and Pilate a second time. They all seemed interested in Jesus but not really interested in having a personal encounter with him. They did not really want to know who he was. They certainly did not want to be confronted with their way of life or their beliefs, even by God himself.
It helps us to see how Jesus was treated as he was led to the cross. We see unbelief. We see rejection. And we see this happening still today. Jesus’ trials help us understand the unbelieving world today.
The Gospel of John records the first trial that was held that night. Jesus was first brought to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. (John 18:12-24) Jesus was interrogated about his teachings, and Jesus told them that he had spoken openly and taught in the synagogue. Annas did not like Jesus’ answer, so he sent him to Caiaphas. “Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” (Juan 18:24)
That same night Caiaphas, the high priest, and the scribes and elders met. There they brought false testimonies against Jesus. “Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) They accused Jesus of blasphemy and spit on him, and beat him. All this happened at night.
In the morning, Jesus went before the Council. The chief priests and the teachers of the law all met. (Luke 22:66-70)
There he was asked:
“If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”
Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”
They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied, “You say that I am.”
They asked if he was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Jesus affirmed that he was the Son of God and that he would be seated at the right hand of God in heaven. They did not believe what Jesus said.
Jesus was then brought before Pilate. (Luke 23:1-7)
“So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Pilate asked him if he was King of the Jews. Jesus said, yes. Jesus was not only King of the Jews, but King of Kings! (Rev. 19:16)
Jesus was then sent to go before King Herod. (Luke 23:8-11)
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.”
With the elegant robe on, Jesus went before Pilate again. It was then that he was condemned to death. Pilate said that he did not find any basis for charges. He said Jesus was innocent. However, the whole scene changed when the other voices present became prominent. (Luke 23:13-25) Instead of listening to his own heart, Pilate was influenced by the crowd and made his decision according to their wants.
“But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So, Pilate decided to grant their demand.” (Luke 23:24)
So, it came to be that Jesus was nailed to the cross – A willing act of love on Jesus’ part - He came to do God’s will. He gave of himself freely. He obeyed his Father. He walked in the way of love, leaving a way for us to imitate.
“…walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) - Innocent, no fair trial, treated horribly, suffering a horrendous death.
We know the end of the story. That Jesus rose from the dead - That man can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus. Death was swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54) The way of the cross brings life to those who believe in Him.
Editor
Published: 03/08/2021
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