His walk to the Cross

this stuff will be graphic. but something we've got to keep in mind and for us to realize of the pain that Jesus went through out of His Love and for our Sins.
I have gotten alot of my info from the book "A Walk with Christ to the Cross" by Dawson McAlister.
A book that I highly recommend.
Friday 9am-12pm

The final hour had come.
The cruel and illegal trials of Jesus had come and gone.
He was exhausted, beaten, he was about to face the most torture-filled death in history.But before He was nailed to the cross, He had to endure even more mockery and painful walk from the Praetorium to the place of Crucifixion, which was called" the Skull"

Jesus Is Mocked

²⁷  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters,^[d] and they gathered the whole battalion^[e] before him. ²⁸ And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

This battalion - like all others consisted of 400-600 men, some who wove thorns  the size of sewing needles into a crown, forcing it onto Jesus' head, they then took a reed, and then used it to smash the crown even farther into his skull. 

The soldiers stripped Jesus of His clothes and put a purple robe and red cape on Him. They had Him sit in a chair, put the reed or stick in His hand, then approached him  in mock to worship.

They spat in hHis face and grabbed the Stick and hit Him with it. Then they draped His clothes back over his bleeding body for Him to go be Crucified.

Steps to Calvary

Some scholars say it was about 800 yards from Pilates palace to Golgatha ("the Place of the Skull.") - 

Thats the equivalent of 8 football fields in length, - all at a uphill incline.

Remember he is nearly dead from all the beatings that he had received. 

He begins to shuffle his way through Jerusalem's narrow streets.:

"Jesus went out carrying His own cross. As they were going, they found a passerby from Cyrene coming in from the country. He was named Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They grabbed him, laid the cross on him, and forced him to carry it behind Jesus" (Matt. 27:32, Luke 23:26; John 19:17a)

In that day criminals were made to carry their own cross to the place of the crucifixion. One more humiliation . 

We don't know if Christ carried the whole cross of just the cross beam. Whichever it was His back was so shredded by the scourging that He must have experienced some intense pain. The Bible tells us He stumbled and fell to the ground, unable to carry it farther. Seeing this, a solider that it would be funny to make a Jew carry the cross fro another. _ and Simon from Cyrene was picked out  random

Luke 23:27

²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

Many women were weeping and mourning for Jesus and  werent necessarily of His disciples. Maybe they'd heard Him speak, or were somehow aware of His ministry. Perhaps they'd never seen a person as beat up as Jesus was. whatever the reason these women were wailing and screaming at the pitiful sight of Jesus Stumbling to his death.

Jesus stops for a moment and turns to them and says:

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰  Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

The Scourging of Jesus

 Just a heads up from here on out  it will be getting pretty "graphic"
while I know that it can make us wince in pain and just not enjoy reading or learning about the pain that Jesus went through.
As I have been researching and reading, I have gotten "squimmish" it was difficult to read. But I think that it is really important for us to learn and for us to understand of how much Jesus went through for us! - He did it out of love. :) please keep that in mind while reading all of this.also, please keep in mind that I am getting alot of my information from the book :


"A Walk with Christ to the Cross" by Dawson McAllister.  A wonderful book, and I highly recommend.


The Scourging of Jesus.
Scourging was a practice that was  from the Romans. It was an extremely cruel.


Soldiers would tear all the clothes off a victim, then tie his hands to a pole, leaving him hunched over with his back exposed.

The scourge itself was called a "cat of nine tails".
It was a sturdy stick with nine strips of leather attached to it, at the end of each strip was a hard leather ball, and along the sides were woven pieces of sharpened bone and iron.





A trained soldier was to swing it in to the victims back, while another trained soldier would watch his breathing to make sure he didnt die. - Scourging was called the 'half-death' they didnt want to kill the victim, they wanted him to suffer a bit more. They'd  leave him just short of death.


So theres the soldier swinging the cat of nine tails into the victims back pulling out chunks of skin, with just a few strokes the flesh could be torn all the way to the muscle and even to the bone. 


Keep in mind this is the second time within a few hours that Jesus had nearly died. The first time being when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane - remember when he was super stressed and just in a terrible state?


John 19
⁴ Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”


Pilate was saying , Look at this pathetic, bleeding Jew - hasn't he had enough? When the crowd saw Him they weren't satisfied. - They wanted more bloodshed... the crowd began to chant louder "Crucify Crucify!" they were out of control! on the verge of starting a riot!


John 19:6-
⁶ When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 


Pilate was angry- out of anger he said to the leaders and said to take Him and go crucify Jesus. - But Pilate didnt find him guilty. 


The Jews could see things changing in their favor, so they responded "We have a law ... by our law He ought to die because He claimed  to be the Son of God" (John 19:7)
Pilate didnt want to mess with Jesus; he was trying his best to get rid of Him. - When he heard the new claim that he was claiming to be God, this took things to a different level. 


John 19
⁸ When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. ⁹  He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?”


Where in the world did you come from?
Jesus didnt answer though. He had already told Pilate  that His kindom was not of this world. This made Pilate more frustrated.
John 19 
¹⁰ So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”¹¹ Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”


Jesus is so gracious. Even under great stress. - He was aying, Hey Pilate, you think you're in control, but God's allowing this to happen. You're a bit player on a stage, you didnt deliver Me up, the Jews did. and they're the ones who have the greater sin. 


Pilate asked them "Should I Crucify your king?" 
-"We have no King, Except for Caesar!" Said the Chief priests.
When Pilate saw that he couldnt disuade them, but insdead a riot was in the making, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said "im innocent of the blood of this righteous Man. You will be witnessses of the fact." All the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children" [ Matt 27:24-25)


One last time Pilate went out into the crows. -this time the Jewish leaders revealed their final ploy. - It was like a ddagger thrust deep into Pilate's heart. They sneered " you're a Jesus lover - well we'll tell Caesar of this Jesus who said He was a king, and how you sided with Him. wait until he hears this...."
Pilate then was forced to make a decision, was it his life or was it Christ's life? His Job or Christs?.... Pilate chose his way rather than Christ. - He turned against Jesus, and decieded to have him murdered. 
Barabbas was realeased, but Jesus was handed over to be crucified.


Pilates role was now over. Its unknown to what happened to him after that day. 

Trial #5 & 6 of Jesus

Trial #5
Friday 6-7am


Jesus before Herod
Luke 23
⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

⁸ 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. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends —before this they had been enemies.

Herod was a godless and superstitious man. Jesus was aware that he was evil and his ways sickened him. 

Herod was excited to meet Jesus , hoping to see some miracles, he was hoping he'd be able to see a magic show... Jesus didn't comply. Herod pressed for entertainment, wanting Jesus to perform miracles, but Jesus stood calmly not saying a word. [ When Jesus isn't saying a word, kinda a big deal....]

after while it became awkward, and Herod realized he didn't want to get mixed up with this - so he mocked Jesus, and having his soldiers pretend to worship him, Herod got a few laughs, but then sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Trial #6

Friday 7-8am

Back to Pilate.

This is Jesus' 6th and final trial. 

who knows how Pilate felt when he saw the Jewish leaders and the soldiers bringing Christ back - Probably not very happy though - Now he was caught in a dilemma - He knew Jesus was innocent - but knew that the Jews would complain to Caesar if he didn't act. Also people were beginning to wake up  and making their way through the courtyard. possibly 2,00-3,000 were now crowded on the palace grounds, curious to see Jesus on trial, and Pilate needed the situation to go away and fast.

John 23:

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” ^[17] [a]
18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)




The Barabbas trick
- Passover was an especially volatile time in the city of Jerusalem. Every year, Jews from all over would gather and praise God for His deliverance from the Egyptians.


Pilate devised a plan- Each year the Romans would release a Jewish prisoner during Passover - a gesture of goodwill, So he used this as his advantage- He would give the people a choice between Jesus and a criminal named Barabbas  -- Barabbas was a bad guy - robber, murderer and just a terrible person.
Pilate thought that surely if you have Jesus on one side and Barabbas on the other, the crowd will choose to release  Barabbas ...


[Pilate changed up his leadership style... from one man ruling, to many people ruling... ]


Everything was ruined because of his wife.- Mrs. Pilate - during that morning she was awakened when Jesus was brought in the fist time, - She fell back to sleep, and had a bad nightmare - we don't know what exactly she dreamed but bottom line was : Please don't mess with Jesus, for He is a righteous man. I've suffered many things on account of this dream.


¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)


the Jewish leaders must have said to the people "you want to show Pilate how much we hate them?-Pilate has become a Jesus lover, vote Barabbas"


at this point Pilate realizes that he is losing this shouting match. - He moves on to plan B: "sympathy of the crowd"-- Where basically he would take Jesus back inside, beat him, nearly to death, then maybe the people would feel sorry for Jesus, and then would want Jesus to go through.... 


"Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged." (John 19:1) 


I will post on the next blog on the details of the flogging of Jesus. 
Thank you for you patience and for reading these posts :)

Trial #3&4, and Judas' end.

Friday 3:00am - 5am
Trial #3
This is where the sentencing ttook place. - there was to be a break of 24 hours between th conviction and the sentencing, but in Jesus' case there was only 2 hours.
After He  appeared before Annas, leaders put Jesus into a holding area, possilby a dungeon nearby. We do not know if had food or water, but he was in there for about 2 hours. Then they brought him out for sentencing.

Matthew 27

 ¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

it was about 5am - Jesus is brought back to court for sentencing. They said to him " Now lets go through this one more time. Are You the Messiah?" Christ responds with an answer that, at first seems confusing " If I should tell you, you wouldn't believe." 

These people were not looking for the God's Anointed one... They were looking for the Messiah that was to destroy the Roman empire. And they were not convinced that this guy was the one that was to be dying for peoples sins. 

- Jesus was saying  = Even if I told you what the Messiah is really like, you wont believe Me. " If I should ask you a question you wont answer Me." 

This wasnt Jesus' first encounter with these people. - He'd talked to them many times about  this very thing. and He knew that their hearts were hardened beyond he could ever change.

Then the leader's asked him "So,  you're the Son of God??" - if they could catch Jesus blaspheming God's name, they'd be putting Him to death - blasphemy was a capital offense. Jesus wasn't blaspheming, and both His life and words proved that. But the leaders chose to ignore His teachings. They  were blinded to the truth of His claims, Thus, the relegated HIm to the status of being a mocker and blasphemer. 

When Jesus answered truthfully by saying "its just as you say: 'I AM,'" the leaders then cried out "he deserves to die." they grabbed Him, and bound Him and took Him to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate.

Judas' End.

During the trial in the courtroom, outside something else was going on outside the city.

Matthew 27: 

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

   “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

 ⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Apparently Judas had been following the trials of Jesus, to see what the outcome was to be of his betrayal. When he saw that Jesus was going to be put to death, he had a change of mind. - He was filled with guild, realized that he was responsible for the innocent Christ being tortured and sentenced to die. 

Before realizing the consequences of his sin, Jesus enjoyed being the center of attention. He delighted in his power and the money that had come his way. 

But now he was filled with guilt. the 30 pieces of silver he had wanted so bad now haunted him, leaving him empty. He went to the chief priests, hoping to remove this guilt by them taking this money back.

Judas was mistaken - they had used him for their own wicked plans, they wanted nothing to do with Judas now, and were irritated that he came back, at an important hour. They cruelly sent him way saying "what does that matter to us, deal with that yourself." If Judas has been truly repentant.  If only he had asked forgiveness for his horrible sin. Instead he was overcome with guilt and despondency. Throwing the silver at the feet of the elders, Judas fled the temple, found a tree overhanging a cliff and hung himself.

Jesus before Pilate

Friday 6-7am
Trial #4

The Jewish leaders hated Pilate, and despised the fact they had to seek permission  to put Jesus to death. Yes, they had passed their own judgments, but Romans had the last word in capital punishment. What made matters worse was that it was now Passover weekend, a time of heightened political and social tension. The leaders knew Pilate would be cautious during this major holiday. Pilate hated the Jews too. Pilate was feeling pressure from his boss, Tiberius. 

Tiberius was a cruel and paranoid individual, known to kill people for the littlest thing - or none at all. Meaning that Pilate and other provincial governors  were subject to the whims of this crazy man.

SO - Here they are in Pilate's courtyard, early on this Friday morning, - one side was the Jewish leaders, and the other side, was Pilate. Between them there was the greatest Jew ever lived - Jesus the Messiah. 

Jesus Before Pilate

e

At first everything goes well. 

Pilate says to the leaders "what accusation do you bring against this man? what's the charge?

-They don't have a charge... But they didn't want say to Piate, "see this pathetic, bleeding Jew right here? He says He's God! And that makes us mad."

if they would have started with that then Pilate would have said "take your silly religion and get lost." 

So they didn't have a formal charged so they had to improvise.  "Look Governor - we're the supreme court, do you think we are here on Passover weekend because we want to be here?- Don't you think this is serious? - Pilate, just please, give us the 'go-ahead' and kill Him." 
Pilate wasnt in the mood to play their game. - Besides this was a good way for him to really get at the Jews. - Which he dedpised. so he said to them " You have your own law- do what you have to do" this forced them to say - "we're not permitted to put anyone to death." 
They must have hated to admit that they were subject to Roman law. 
But by having to go through the Roman law they would actually be fulfilling prophesy. 

If Christ would have been killed by the Jews rather than Romans, he wouldn't have been Crucified, instead by stoning... God didn't want  Christ to die by stoning. - Stoning would have been a very quick death. Stoning is gruesome, but not near as gruesome and humbling as the crucifixion. God wanted His On, Jesus Christ, to die a horrible death and to be lifted up for all to see. 
Perhaps  he knew that we was modern Americas we would need something graphic to get our attention. The crucifixion gets our attention. 

False Accusations-

^{Luke  232} And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

 ³ So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

   “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

 ⁴ Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

 ⁵ But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

the first 2 of these charges - being a bad influence and not paying taxes weren't going to fly with Pilate. The third, got pilates attention:"... Saying that He Himself is Messiah, a King." 

You can see what Pilate's thinking here.. "a king? there's only one king Caesar... what will happen  if Tiberius hears about this on Passover weekend? This was the one weekend that Jews celebrated their freedom for the Egyptians, he didnt want to hear about them getting their freedom from Rome either. 
Jesus' reactions to the charges blew Pilate's Mind - Pilate was used to people pleading for mercy. - But there's Christ - in dignity, silent before the charges, 
He was beaten and bleading, sweat and blood mixed together and matted his hair. BUt He denies Pilates demand that he defend Himelf... he stood there calmly not saying a single word. 
Pilate decided to take Jesus  where the Jews wouldnt follow, he wanted to talk to Jesus one-on-one. - and hearing first hand what this is all about.
Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews, - The reply was  very straightforward - Yes you're right... its just as you're saying - but do you really care? 
THis made pilate mad "Am I a Jew?" - He ated the Jews. - 
"your own nation and chief of priests delivered you to me, so you mist have done something very  bad in order to be in so much trouble, to have them bring you to me on Passover weekend ...
THis must have broken Jesus' heart. 
The people rejected him , but he remained  cool and calm in the midst of all of Pilates insults.

John 18:36

³⁶ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

--Basically he's saying - Look Pilate, I'm not a threat to the Roman Empire, I don't have an army, If I did, then don't you think they'd be fighting for Me right now? Don't you think they would've begun fighting the moment I was arrested? I have no army, for My kingdom is not of this world. 

John 18: 37-38a

You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

³⁸ “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. 

By this time Pilate doesn't want to talk about the truth - and then Jesus said "I am the way the life, and the Truth. 
Pilate never got the clue.- He no doubt had head philosophers talking about the truth, but he turned away the one person who would have shown him ultimate truth.

After interviewing Jesus, Pilate was convinced that He wasnt a threat. and considered the charged that He was brought on silly. -- How could a Jew that was beated, worn down, and collapsing be a threat to the Roman Empire?
Pilate went outside and told the Jews what he thought - get outta here... 

Luke 23:4-5

⁴ Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

⁵ But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.

Then Pilates ears perked up when they mentioned "Galilee".. .why? 

Pilate didn't rule over Galilee... Herod did... and do you know who was in town  that weekend??- Yup, Herod, So he decided to hand Him over to Herod. 

Peter

Peter was confused after the events in the garden... Jesus had just had given himself to the enemies, all the disciples ran away in fear... You can imagine what is going on in his mind...Peter started to run away as well, then he started to think on everything that had happened...should he contiue to run away ? or should he stand with Christ during this hour... he knew what he had to do, and turned back toward the city. Simon Peter and John were folowing Jesus... he went into the priests courtyard, Peter had to wait outside at the door, John came  back, spoke to the girl, and brought Peter in. "you are not one of this mans's disciples, are you?" the girl asked ""I am not he replied ( John 18:15-17)

Peter was at a crossroads - if he remained far from Jesus he would be safe, but not live up to the promises he'd made earlier, if he stood by Jesus he would live up to his promises but could lose his life... he didnt know what to do. he tried to strike a balance... and folowed him at a distance.. Peter loved Jesus.

Peter wanted to prove to Jesus that Jesus' initial prediction was wrong, and that Peter wouldnt deny Christ. -

John knew Annas - so he was able to get in... he was well known to the people, but John left Peter in the courtard and went to the hall where Jesus was being tried... this left Peter alone with the enemies of Jesus who were gathered around a small fire... Peter didnt want to be recognized.

A young servent girl was staring at him intently...  she wanted to see if Peter was who she thought he was, a follower of Jesus. She knew that John was a follower, so maybe this man was also. She must have wanted to look important -  she wasnted to let the men kneow she knew something that they didnt. -  She blurted out to  Peter "You arent not one of His disciples are you?"  he answered "I am not.""

-- Peter was a large man, who did a little girl become such a big threat...  Peter must have been eying the soldiers all around though, looking at any kind of hint that they recognized him...

One of the high priests servants, challenged him, (this was a relative of the man whose ear that Peter had chopped off earlier...)she asked him "did I see you with him in the olive grove? - Again, Peter denied it. - at that moment a rooster began to crow (John 18:26-27"

With his identity revealed Peter couldnt sit there any longer... he got up and stood near the edge of the courtyard, in case he needed to escape.  another servent girl pointed him out to the crowd. This girl didnt ask a question, she spoke with certainty and conviction.

Matthew 26:71

⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

She may have been in the garden when Jesus was arrested, we dont know, but she knew that this was the man who'd tried to kill her relative, and she could speak as an eyewitness of his true identty.

Peter's worst fears were coming to reality-  The soldier's stares were cold and threatening,  he was in danger of arrest and death, Peter lashed out in defense, he denied any involvement with Christ, this thime with an oat "I dont know the man!" (Matt. 26:72) Its said that when a Jew took an oath, even when not using God's name explicitly, person was calling God as witness to the truth of their statement. by this act, Peter was insulting God, for as the Bible says, "It is imposible for God to lie " (Heb. 6:18)

The 3rd denial:

Luke 22:59-62

⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ 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.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

We dont know why Peter didnt leave the courtyard after the 2nd denial but he stayed there  in that place of temptation for another hour. Perhaps it was a real but weakened love for Christ, perhaps his curiosity demanded he see the turn of events, most likely satan himself tempted him to linger.. - when he should have fled... But whatever the reason, Peter stayed there...
Peter out of nervousness began to talk with people around him, and that is what sealed it all,  people in Jerusalem could easily recognize the accent of a Galilean, which they despised...
The people in the courtyard wer  convinced that Peter was a discipe of Christ, and they knew that Jesus and his deiscipelse were from Galilee...

Matt 26: ⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

Peter felt trapped, there it was, it all was there... he upped the intesity of this denials...

Mark 14:71

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

In the middle of Peters 3rd and most vehemnt denial a rooster crowed, calling the dawn and calling Peter to repent. Gods timing was at play.
When the rooster cried,  he immediately remembered Jesus's words, "before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times" (Luke 22:61)

At this same moment Peter looked up and saw Jesus standing in front of im looking intently into his eyes--
"The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter" (Luke 22:61)
  Peter didnt notice what was going on around him, he didnt see Jesus being led his way. The Temple police were leading him  from the hall of trial through the courtyard to some place of detention until he was to be wanted again.  His face was black and blue from all the blows he had recieved.

We can only imagine what was going through Peters mind during this time - as he caught the look from Jesus, a look that Peter only would understand, not in disgust.... ' you have hurt me,  more than my enemies ever could, I rebuke you for your lying and  I heard your denials, but I have not forgotten you, I still love you.

It was then when we are told " And he went outside and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:62)

We dont know where Peter wnet, but he was aware of his sin and  he repented.

The first 2 Trials of Jesus

There were 6 separate trials that on His way to the Cross.  3  religious and 3 civial trials.

They took place before a man named Annas, the Supreme Court of Israel, then culminated with religous sentenceing at about 5o'clock in the morning.
Then the  Civil trials, Before Pilate, Herod and Pilate again. Each one of these tirals was lie.
They made a mockery of law and justice, But Jesus knew this was coming.

Friday 1:30:am-3am
Trial #1- Before Annas
Annas

Jesus before the Priests

¹² So the Roman ^[a]cohort and the ^[b]commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, ¹³ and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Annas had been the high priest for many years, finally the Romans came to him and said "Annas, we like you, but is time for you to step down. do you have any sons?" Annas said "Yes, I have a few sons."

 So the Romans said, "Pick one of your sons to be the ruling high priest." - he played their game.

After a few years, came to him again, and said "do you have another son?" - Annas had 5 sons. all served as high priest. Years later, Romans came back and asked if there were more sons, he said "no, but I have a son-in-law named Caiphas." - Caiaphas was the ruling high priest during the time of Christ,  the power behind it all was Annas, Annas' family was rich, -- They were crooks, For example - when  someone went to  the temple to sacrifice a lamb the officials would tell them "you cant bring any lamb in here... you need a 'temple-approved' lamb." and aof course a "temple approved lamb came with a cost....

Annas and  temple officials ran a money changing operation within the temple grounds they weould demand a special currency, and then sell it at an inflated rate... it was robbery.

a few days before Jesus' arrest, he went to the temple and drove out the animals out of the temple with a whip. he turned over money changers tables and said "my Father's house will not be a den of thievs" - Annas was mad.

It appears Jesus had been getting under Anna's skin for awhile, he didnt like the fact that Jesus was popular. this made him and other religious leaders look bad.  Jesus had hit Annas right where it hurt the most... in his wallet...

Annas was thrilled to have Jesus brought his way in the middle of the night, He knew that he needed to move fast, while people of Jerusalem were still asleep... Annas couldnt afford a religious riot on his hands.. his goal was have him convicted of an offense... any offense that would convince Pilate Jesuas was worthy of death. With luck he could have Jesus crusified before anyone knew what was going on... but if people woke up to find Jesus in Annas cusotdy it wouldnt be pretty..

During the first  trial every basic rule fof Jewish law was broken: no charges read, no witnesses, no evidence.. instead Annas began his interrogation of Jesus:  He was trying to get Jesus to admit that He taught for the porpose of a revolution, for the overthrow of the Roman Empire... His goal was to get Jesus to speak and  incrimate Himself... it was out of bounds...
John 18

 ¹⁹ The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.  (John 18:19)

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in ^[g]synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.”

Jesus was calling Annas to order, Jesus' display of calm authority and direcness andgured one of the guards:When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

Annas wasnt getting far with Jesus, and was obvious that he wasnt going to get self incriminating info from Him, but he did stall long enough for the Supreme Court of Isreal to gather in the middle of the night to hear the case....

Friday 1:30-3:30Am

Trial #2- Before the Supreme Court of Israel.

Took before Caiaphas and a group of leaders had the "Sanhdrin." - this court consisted of 70 men plus the high priest - they needed at least 25 members to carry on their business...The met in Caiaphas's house in middle of the night and began the trial. it ws illegal... against the law for them to meet or rul at night, ... breaking their own rules  to put Jesus on trial.

They didnt have a charge against Jesus. They needed 2 witnesses who would agree on specific charges against Him...  they approached the spectators in the audience, seeking 2 witnesses - They found a couple of people who agreed they'd heard Jesus make a statement against the temple.

Mark 14:58

New International Version (NIV)

⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’”

What was the charge? that He would somehow wreck the temple,?? this wasnt a serious enough charge to stand before pilate... Caiaphas made his move...

Mark 14:61

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?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
⁶² “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 was so disgusted in this and he tore his garments...

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. ⁶⁵ 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.

  

Then it all got ugly, some leaders spat in Jesus' face, and  hit Him,  they blindfolded,  and pulled at his beard, mocked him, called him ugly names... Jesus just stood thear and  recieved it... WHY? because He loves us so much that  it hurts.  this was just the beginning of it all....

Gethsmane

This was late Thursday night, around 11:30pm -1am...

Jesus led  his disciples away from the Upper Room and toward the Garden of Gethsemane,  He knew he was facing this.

Jesus went to go pray:
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

Gethsemane  was a garden that was owned by someone, who was rich. It was very large, near or inside Jeruselum. The garden had a large wall around it and was full of olive trees, it was a favorite spot  for Jesus and often went there to pray. ...

37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

So Jesus took Peter James and John wth Him farther into the garden, leaving the others at the entrance, ... then thats when Jesus essentially fell apart, he was greattly sorrowful. and distressed...
During this time Christ  basically went into shock.. he saw or felt something so awful that His skin began to craw and His hair stood on end....

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Christ went deeper into the Garden by himslef...  with a shawl on his head..  Jesus literally fell on His face in great pain and suffering before the Father.

During this time He was making the final decision about dying on the Cross... he wasnt just a puppet for God, Jesus made the decision to follow God, and die on the Cross.
WHo knows the amount of questions and struggles that he had here....
think about it.... some questions that may have ran through his head "is humankind worth suffering for?" " Could I do it? ....

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Luke 22:42-44 :⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[

Jesus was in great agony...

an angel appeard to him and strengthened him.. Jesus needed it, since Luke tells us that he was in extreme stress, so much stress that he was sweating blood...

 So at this point Jesus went back into the garden a second time, now sweating bloody drops all over the rocks.

He was expiencing a medical condition  "hematidrosis"... its not just a small trickle of blood coming from his forehead, from all pores all over His body... what caused it?  it can happen when stress upon stress is laid over a persons emotions. if the person pushes hard enough either he'll pass out or blood will pass through his veins until it hits the sweat glands....

Friday morning 1:am -1:30am...

Judas had been busy - he'd gone to Caiphas, the high priest, and told him that they'd have the opopportunity to go with the plan that very night...  so they gathered people to arrest Jesus - Judas led them all to the garden.

Matthew 26:47-56

Jesus Arrested

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^[a]
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Dawson Macclister says in his book - that we would have been completely in awe at the large crowd that was making their way towards Jesus, some scholars believe that there was somewhere between 600-1000 men that came swarming... most of them were Roman soldiers.
So Judas was going to be pointing out the one that they were to arrest by giving him a kis...

So Judas walked up to Jesus,  Jesus basically said "why are you here?"
Judas said.. "Im just coming to say 'hello' "
Then he kissed Jesus on both cheeks... oriental syle.
Then Jesus said "Judas, how can you do this - Betray the Son of Man with a kiss??
Jesus then stepped away from Judas and approached the crowd, He knew what was going on....

John 18:4-6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
⁵ “Jesus the Nazarene,”^[a] they replied.
“I Am he,”^[b] Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) ⁶ As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

Imagine that... he said 2 words "I AM" and boom... all they fell down!

During that time the phrase "I AM " meant one thing--- "I AM GOD!" As we take a look baack, thousands of years earlier, God met Moses in the desert, ordered him back to Egypt and lead the children of Israel to freedom, Moses was reluctant, and afraid, and said to God, "they're not going to believe me... who should I tell them that sent me ?" God told him, "you tell them atht I AM WHO I AM  sent you (Exodus 3:13-15)

Then from that time forward that fphrase or name meant only one thing to the Jews-- it meant "I AM GOD"

So, when Jesus said the words "I AM" in the garden that night, the crows was supernaturally  thrown to the ground.

Matthew 26

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

So here we go - now the disciples get in on this, and one of them asked Jesus "should we get out our swords? but before Jesus  could reply, Peter decided to take matters in his own hands and make things happen... Even though he was surrounded by hundrdes of armed soldiers, he takes out his long knif e and begins to fight... he slahses at the head of a servant of the high pries, Malchus, even though Malchus ducks, Peter cuts  off his ear..
Jesus basically said "it stops here" (Luke 22:51)
This prevents the crowd from pouncing on him and killing him right ther on the spot.
Jesus then take Machus's ear and reattaches it.

Matthew 26:
⁵² “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands^[h] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? ⁵⁴ But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

He was telling Peter "thanks, but no thanks, I've got it all under control..."

⁵⁵ Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. ⁵⁶ But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.

He was saying "what are you doing here at night, as though I'm  going to run or be secretive, I was with you every day in the timple, why didnt you arrest me then?
He had committed no crime whatsoever,
but Jesus said "But this has all happened to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. This is your hour and the power of darkness"

Jesus remained in control throughout everything.