The Test

"Jesus said: 'I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.' " - John 10:11-12

We're all used to the metaphor of Jesus being the Good Shepherd. But Jesus goes one step further here, and reminds us that he's willing to give his life up for us - something that the false prophets before and after him would fail to do. He's reminding us that, no matter what, he'll be there for us. Always. And no matter what comes in the night, he'll protect us.

It's interesting that this reading comes up shortly after the celebration of his victory over death - because we already know he's willing to do this for us. In fact, he already had. But when he's talking to the Jews, they have no idea what Jesus's life has in store - that, at some point soon, he'll be put to the test for what he just said.

Lucky for us, he passes.

The First Witnesses

"And he said to them, 'Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.' " - Luke 24:46-48

You know when you get to the end of the movie, and a character in the movie explains to another character what happened? Kind of a fill-in-the-blanks scene so us movie-goers can connect all the pieces of the plot? That's what this kind of feels like.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus rarely explains his last days directly like this. He drops hints as to what's going to happen, why it's going to happen, and when - but often in pieces. But now, he's getting close to finishing his mission on Earth, and is making sure everyone is on the same page.

And thankfully, Luke makes it clear to his readers as well - and is, in essence, noting how Jesus is passing the torch to his disciples. He's pointing out that they went through it with him, and because of that, they must now tell others - that they are now witnesses. And through tradition, teaching and experiencing, this torch has been passed on down to each generation of Christian, burning brightly for all of us, and reminding us we're the next set of witnesses to carry on. Just as these first witnesses did so many years ago.

We should all step back, and make sure we're keeping the torch lit - so that we're the next generation of witnesses, and not the last.

Hungry

"While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. " - Luke 24:41-43

It's been a long three days for Jesus - we don't know exactly what went on, but I'm sure someday we will. However, Jesus isn't asking for food because he's hungry, but rather to relate to his disciples on a very human level. A ghost (as they would have imagined one) wouldn't have a need to eat - nor could it. But Jesus is different - and just like he has before, he's providing a silent testament to his disciples about what he is - flesh. And while they may still have had some doubt, some reservation - there isn't mention of that after he eats in front of them. A very human, very physical act.

And because of that, we too can come to believe, to understand, to trust in his life, death and resurrection.

Speaking To You

"Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.' Thomas answered and said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.' " - John 20:26-29*

Thomas is lucky - he could doubt and be profoundly proven wrong. He has the benefit of actually touching Jesus - verifying with physical evidence that he did rise, and is with them again. But Jesus is speaking right to us - "blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" - because he knows we too will be like Thomas some days. Longing for physical belief - a voice in the car, an appearance in a dream, a vision during the day - and doubting that it's all real. And Jesus knows that struggle for us will make us feel less of ourselves. He knows this, because he was one of us.

And he wants us to know that, even if we doubt, we have believed, we still, deep down, believe, and we always will believe. And we're blessed because of that. No matter what storm may come.

 * Note: Given the similarities between Luke's passage this week and John's passage last week, I'll be departing from following the weekly Gospel readings a little, making sure I cover the similarities only once.

We've Been There

"Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.' " - John 20:24-25

I sometimes catch myself thinking about how easy it would have been if I had been a disciple. To see Jesus's works, to hear him speak, to talk with other disciples about his personal prophesies - but 2000 years later, all I have are these words - the words in the New Testament - to carry me through. How lucky the disciples were to have had him in their midst!

But this passage brings me back to earth - and reminds me that, even with him there, it wasn't easy. Thomas portrays this fact quite plainly - demanding physical proof that Jesus rose from the dead before he would believe it And while, in the end, Jesus provides it to Thomas - we are still only left with these words.

But we're lucky too. Because, unlike the disciples, we see the whole picture - all 2000 years of it. We see the struggle, the pain, the revelations and the experiences of fellow believers - past and present - and can stand on that when we're having a "Thomas moment". For the disciples, it was pretty much just them - they had each other to rely on and not much else.

We have 2000 years of history to rely on. In the scope of the earth, that's not a long time. But in the scope of humanity, that's an eternity.

Just Breathe

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.' " - John 20:22-23

"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. " - Genesis 1:2

We can survive close to a month without eating. Without water, it's around 3-5 days. But without breathing, it's closer to 3-5 minutes. So breathing is kind of important!

But the breath that John is talking about isn't just Jesus breathing. Yes, Jesus is back in a physical sense (which includes respiration), his breath has a much deeper connection to the disciples. He's giving the disciples the Holy Spirit in the same form that the Spirit was before us - that is the ruach, or "Breath of God". The wind that swept over the darkness that was the planet - void of form for God had yet created a being that could understand it's form. It is this ancient wind that Jesus breathes out onto the disciples - and then entrusts them to give it to others after he's ascended into Heaven.

Understandably, this is a big moment. And it is fulfilling a prophecy by John the Baptist, made before Jesus's baptism many years ago - "I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.". And from this point forward, the disciples are fully responsible for carrying on Jesus's mission, and spreading the Good News about who he was, what he said, and what he wants from each of us.

And this mission has stood the test of time. Sure, different folks have different takes on what Jesus was talking about - but the core values - to love one another, that God exists and loves us, and that our belief in Jesus will carry us into Heaven - are universal. And all because of this moment - in a locked room with a bunch of scared guys who just lost their teacher - when Jesus appears and baptizes them with the Holy Spirit.

So breathe easy. God loves you!

Through the Locked Door

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' " - John 20:19-21

Every night, before I go to bed, I go around the house and make sure the doors are locked. I know that the idea is locking the doors will keep the basic criminals out. The ones that go door to door, checking doors until they find one that's open. Truth be told, I've never seen this particular break-in approach happen, but at least I've done everything in my power to keep someone from waltzing into my home in the middle of the night (they wouldn't dare to jitterbug). I also know that, should a criminal truly want to get into my house, there's plenty of ways to do it - maybe by driving a car through the front door, high-tech James bond-like lock picking tools, or by helicopter-drop onto the roof (I know I'm reaching here).

Even though this happened about 2000 years ago, the intruders during the disciples times were equally diverse. Those that wanted to get in would find a way in - smashing down a door, crawling in a window, or tricking someone inside to open the door. And so John's reference to "locking the door" was less about their safety from the crowds of Jews wishing to find and eliminate the followers of Jesus (though that was a real threat at the time), but rather to enforce that there was no practical way into the room.

And despite their defenses, one man appears in the room with them. Their friend. Their teacher. Their Messiah. Jesus didn't bust the door down, he didn't crawl in through a window. He just appeared. To them. In the same state some of them last saw him in - pierced through the hands, feet and side. And instead of asking why they weren't there, why they didn't try to help, why they didn't even acknowledge they even knew him - he instead greets them with one simple phrase.

"Peace be with you".

As in, don't be scared, don't be upset, and don't think I'm mad at you. Just simply a phrase to set them at ease.

"Peace be with you".

As in, "It's all going to be OK. I'm here with you. I'll be with you forever. And despite it all, I still love you."

Almost There

"For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. " - John 20:9

My four year old daughter didn't want to go to sleep tonight. And instead of coming out and telling me that, she instead comes out and asks me questions. Sometimes it's if we're getting a storm tonight, sometimes it's to tell me she is scared by thunder, and sometimes it's so absurd I don't even remember what she asked, but rather tell her "just go to bed".

But tonight, she asked me a question that gave me some pause - "Daddy, why did Jesus die?". With my Uncle's recent passing, and now the Easter season, death has been a subject on her mind lately. So I responded "so all we have to do is believe in Him and we can go to heaven".

This, of course, was followed with one of the most annoying words a parent hears: "why?"

We proceeded to talk a bit (and answering many "whys"), after which she came to the conclusion that "God told Jesus he had to die for us, and Jesus did even though it hurt".

It's amazing how clear four-year-olds can think about things.

In this passage, John is reminding us that the disciples still weren't quite in-tune with what happened to Jesus. That the simplistic - and quite apt - way a modern four year old sees what happened was a foreign concept to Peter and the other followers.

But soon Jesus will appear to them. And when he does, it makes our futures - and our forevers - possible.

The Other Disciple

"So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. " - John 20:3-9

Since about 200 AD, there's been a mystery as to who John is referring to when he mentions "the other disciple", or the "other disciple whom Jesus loved". This disciple is present at (among other things) the Last Supper, Jesus's crucifixion, and was given explicit instructions by Jesus to take care of his mother. And in the style that John writes, it's very possible that his account is taken from one of the twelve that wishes to remain anonymous - either to maintain his safety or that of his family's. John chooses not to ignore his presence, but rather refer to him as "one Jesus loved".

Instead of thinking of it as an anonymous person (or trying to piece together who it might be using clues within John), consider a moment that it's you. That John is writing as if you - the one Jesus loved - was there at each of these crucial moments. You beat Peter after racing to the tomb. You let Peter go in first, because you were scared of what you might see (or who might be there). You saw the empty tomb and inspected the burial cloths that were neatly rolled up. And it was you that, after Peter, came to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

It suddenly makes this passage feel a little closer to heart, "that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name." (the last verse of John 20).

Missing

"On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, 'They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.' " - John 20:1-2

It's been a tough few days for the disciples. No doubt they're scared that they're next, confused as to how Jesus could have died, and conflicted because they should be celebrating Passover. So now that Mary snuck off in the early morning to check on the tomb and found it open, they're probably in a panic. After all, what if it's a trap? What if someone followed her back? What if she's been turned? What if the Jews rolled open the tomb to try to lure the remaining disciples in? It's clear they want this "Jesus" worship to end, and they're probably ready to make an example of a follower next.

Thankfully, we know the Truth. We know what happened, how the story ends (or begins). But right now, the disciples don't. But they will shortly...

14: Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.

"They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom." - John 19:40

Jesus is dead. He's been taken off the cross, and is now buried. And for those who hated him, they considered this matter closed. The man spreading such a revolutionary doctrine has been silenced, and they can go back to business as usual.

Except... not really. The world has changed - they just haven't realized it yet. Jesus will eventually appear to (most) of his disciples, and this will strengthen and embolden them so much that they'll be willing to lay their own lives on the line to bring his message to the world. They will no longer be scared, and deny their allegiance to Jesus, but declare it from every mountaintop. From this point on, people who believe will be called "Christians", they will develop their own rites and rituals to celebrate their belief, and they may even start Internet blogs to talk about their faith.

But in order for all this to happen, Jesus had to die. His ministry, his message and his example were all amplified by this. And while this horrible event had to happen, we're reminded that, no matter what happens to us down here, we have His Kingdom awaiting us when we're through.

Just like Jesus knew.


Note: This is the last of the 14 "Stations of the Cross". Thank you for keeping up and reading them. I hope you found new words in these familiar passages. Have a very Happy Easter!

13: Jesus' body is removed from the cross

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body." - John 19:38

Had Joseph not intervened, Jesus's body would most likely have been unceremoniously dumped somewhere. After all, the Romans considered him a criminal, and had just executed him. It was through the persuasion of Joseph that Jesus's body not be considered that of an ordinary criminal, and that Joseph was close enough to family that he was allowed to take him off the cross.

I'd imagine that it wasn't too hard to persuade Pilate. In previous verses, it appears he doesn't want to execute Jesus, but is eventually forced to given the response of the crowd. So perhaps, by allowing Joseph to recover Jesus's body, Pilate felt he provided some atonement to his role in this man's death.

Even Pilate knew Jesus was someone different.

12: Jesus dies on the cross

"Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit'; and when he had said this he breathed his last." - Luke 23:46

In the Northern Hemisphere, we're well on our way to spring. The grass is starting to grow, brown, wilted plants are sprouting up green, the birds are back and the earth is coming alive again. But this is the moment - the actual moment, when our lives began anew. And unlike the seasons, this happened once, and for all. This death, for this man, is what brought spring to our spirits.

Drink this verse in - it is ours, and His, defining moment.

11: Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross

"When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.'

They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, 'He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.' " Luke 23:33-35

While painful, tortuous, embarrassing and crushing, I'm sure Jesus looked at this as his last trial. Once nailed, his life would soon be over. But once again, he's providing witness, by asking for forgiveness for those who are doing this to him. Even when gravely punished, Jesus is thinking about, caring for, and demonstrating his love for us.

It is these final moments that we as Christians tend to focus on quite a bit - especially this time of the year. The moments leading up to Christ's ultimate death on a cross. But in the scope of his life and ministry, this is but a small portion of an overall mission he had in this world - one that fulfilled prophesies equally over the years of his earthly existence, and whose words and actions should weigh equally upon our hearts. From His parables to His prayers, this should be something to remember during these next few weeks.

10: Jesus is stripped of His garments

"So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear [the tunic], but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled that says:

'They divided my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.'

This is what the soldiers did. " - John 19:24

His last worldly possession - a nice, flowing tunic - has been stolen from him, and now the soldiers are throwing dice to see who gets it. It's his last physical connection to the world he's about to leave - and I have to imagine he must have felt a bit of finality after it was gone. Not only did the soldiers fulfill scripture (Psalm 22:18), but Jesus is left with nothing but the hope that his message made it across. That his words will carry on, that there are people that believe so much in what he said, they're willing to spread it themselves at risk of the same punishment as he.

2,000 years later, his message survived. Throughout wars, plagues, natural disasters and the Internet - His message still goes on.

Remember that, when you're feeling doubtful, questioning if it is all worth it. Because it is.

9: Jesus falls the third time

He's almost there - just a few more steps and his journey will be complete. But he's weak, he's human, and he falls. And those around him who wanted to see him crucified are satisfied once again. This man can't even carry his own cross! They're laughing, enjoying the scene of this man's last days.

And all because of what he said. Because of his words, these actions took place.

So when we read His words - we must remember that. We must remember that what he said was so powerful, so threatening to these men that they felt they had to kill him to make him stop. That his message made them feel he needed to be made an example of. And his message was about love - about God's love for his people, that he "so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life".

It's worth it to listen to Him.

8: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

"A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?' " - Luke 23:27-31

"It's not over until it's over" - Yogi Berra

This station is often used to demonstrate Jesus's compassion towards the women of Jerusalem - even though he's near death. But based on scripture (and only in Luke's account), Jesus is trying to teach us more than comfort us. He sees an opportunity, and is moved by the women of Jerusalem so much that he gathers his wits and continues to preach. He's been whipped, beaten and forced to carry a heavy wooden cross to his ultimate, painful death. But instead of feeling sorry for himself, he presses on, teaching along the way. He's silently ministered to Simon, and now openly to the women of Jerusalem.

And this message doesn't seem as supportive, but rather more of a warning. That hard times are coming ahead - so much so that mothers would wish they never had their children, so that they wouldn't have to experience this hardship. And Jesus is using similar imagery as that described in the book of Hosea to get his point across, as a way to strengthen his teaching. But while it seems doom-and-gloom, we again know the outcome. That, no matter what, our belief in Him will always, always, always bring us to Everlasting Life.

So don't weep for Him. Thank Him. For it is through the loss of His life that we gain ours.

7: Jesus falls the second time

He's getting weaker by the minute. Even with Simon's help, Jesus falls, feeling unable to continue. Every ounce of energy from him has been spent, but he's so close. So close to finishing his mission. So close to death, but still a hard journey ahead.

And, in a very small way, I know what that feels like. When you have to convince yourself to keep going - even though it's hard, even when the worst is yet to come. That anxiety that we all have faced at one time or another helps us to relate to Jesus. Maybe it's someone at work. Maybe it's someone at home. Maybe it's at a funeral. There are days we need to press on, and Jesus shows us what that means.

That goes both ways too. Maybe the next time I'm feeling anxious, worn down or outright fearful for the next day, Jesus is the person I can talk to about it. He knows because he was there. Walking that road. Falling down. Getting back up. And moving forward - even though the end would be the worst, and best, day of his life.

6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Like many of the stations, Veronica's presence is not supported by any of the four Gospels. In fact, much of the legend - including that of the imprint left on the shroud of cloth (not to be confused with the Shroud of Turin) - has been added well after the 11th century. So why do we include this particular legend?

Imagine you came to possess this shroud. What would it mean for you? For your faith? Would you focus on the physical evidence of Christ's existence, as proven by a piece of cloth? Would it help you to believe more, or less? Would you share it with others? At what price?

While we may never entirely know the motivation for including this as a part of the stations, we're reminded that our belief has to transcend what can be seen and heard. We're close to 2000 years after Christ's death, without much (if any) physical proof, yet we believe in Him - in who he was, and who he is now and forever. And we believe that because of the witness supplied by others - by folks during his time as well as our own. From Veronica, wiping his face in hopes to provide some relief, to Simon, pressed into service to help carry the cross, to our parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. We each provide a witness to Christ in our own way - and receive it in our own way as well.

And like Veronica, our true identity and purpose may be lost or forgotten as time presses on. But our witness will live on forever - through the people we touch, support and care for. That's what makes believing without seeing possible.

5: Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

"They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross." - Mark 15:21

Matthew, Mark and Luke all note that, at one point, a man named "Simon" (different from Peter) helped Jesus carry the cross. However, it doesn't appear this Simon did it willingly - each write in a way that indicates Simon was made to do it by the soldiers following Jesus.

While not supported directly by the Gospels (or by further New Testament books), tradition holds that Alexander and Rufus were early Christian missionaries. And this would make some sense, given how Mark openly "shouts out" to the two of them - since the addition provides no greater clarity to the scene. It would appear then, that their father Simon learned something along the way. Something that, after he left Jesus, he brought back to his sons. Something that compelled his sons to become evangelists in a time that was openly hostile to Christianity.

In short, by Simon literally taking up the cross with Jesus, we learn how such a short time spent with Him can be so impactful. Jesus was tired, weary, beat and bloodied. But his mission continued on, so much so that Simon believed in who he was, and who he was here for.

We too can do the same - by helping others, we walk in their shoes - we take a part of their burden, and in turn learn about their struggles, hopes and fears. While reluctant, Simon carried the cross with Jesus. And by the end, he had changed - he and his family were followers of Jesus.

4: Jesus meets His Mother

"Then the angel [Gabriel] said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' " - Luke 1:30-33

"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' " - John 19:25-26


The station focuses on Mary's visit to Jesus as he's carrying the cross, though scripture only notes Mary being present at the actual crucifixion. Nonetheless, I'm sure a number of things were racing through her mind. A parent losing a child is one of the hardest things a mother could experience. And Mary had to watch it helplessly - a witness to the end of a life she was so crucial in creating. She could no more intervene in his death, than have stopped his conception from happening in the first place.

Her belief carries on though - and she's immediately taken in by one of Jesus's disciples at his command. Just like the wedding at Cana, Jesus is taking care of his mother - even at the very end.

It's a good reminder for us - to look out for others, even when we're stressed out, weak or just worn out from the day. Even if it's a simple phone call, card or even a text message - words of comfort, encouragement or friendship can change someone's life. And help us to provide a silent witness to Jesus on the cross.

3: Jesus falls the first time

Jesus's falling (all three times) isn't documented in the canonical Gospels. In fact, they didn't show up until the later Middle Ages. But they provide a very "human" characteristic to Jesus - that he too can bear only so much weight. If it did happen (and there isn't any evidence either way), he would have been further mocked, whipped, and had to rise up to carry his cross by threat of the same.

In this station, Jesus reminds us of how easy it is to fall in our lives - to be exhausted, not willing to go on. But sometimes you have to rise up - no matter what others are saying or doing - and keep going. Even if it's to something you fear. Because, while he fell, God was still with him - just like us. Just like always.

2: Jesus accepts the cross

"[The Soldiers] began to salute him with, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. " - Mark 15:18-20

We've all been there - you're in a crowd, and people are ganging up on someone else, making fun of them or otherwise causing them to feel bad. And instead of sticking up for them, you join in - maybe because it's fun, maybe because it's safer - but nonetheless, you don't stop them from what they're doing.

And I have to believe that, for some of these soldiers, they got caught up in the moment. Unfortunately for them, their moment just happened to be when the Son of God was being taunted and abused. And Jesus wasn't just any prisoner - and because of that, they get a dubious place in history.

But because Jesus wasn't just any man, they also can receive his forgiveness - just like we can. Like them, all we need to do is ask for it, and it will be given.

Even at his - and our - darkest moments, Jesus is there. Always.

1: Jesus is condemned to death

"Pilate again said to [The Crowd] in reply, 'Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?' They shouted again, 'Crucify him.' Pilate said to them, 'Why? What evil has he done?' They only shouted the louder, 'Crucify him.' So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. " - Mark 15:12-15

Pilate is in a tough spot. The chief priests have the crowd all riled up - and Pilate knows if he doesn't acquiesce to their demands, he may have a full riot on his hands. But in the canon of the passion, he's the lucky one to be the final word on the status of Jesus's execution. And it's not a good decision for Jesus.

And he decides as any governor of the time would have - one man's life to save that of many more. Should there have been a riot, no doubt many would have been killed - many by Pilate's hands. And while I'm sure Jesus's human side was quietly hoping for a decision favoring both he and Barabbas, he too must have known the stakes. And in a very real, but often forgotten way, the decision to execute Jesus resulted in many lives saved. Only, in this case, it's in a physical sense.

Later on that day, our spirits would be saved - once and for all.


*Special Note: For many Christians, this is the start of Holy Week, a week that is spent reflecting on Jesus's sacrifice for all. I will be publishing Lectio Divinas based on Jesus's road to the cross, using the modern "Stations of the Cross" as a guide. The images come from the GNU-licensed images of the Stations on display at Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs. The full set (along with the license) can be viewed on Wikipedia here. I will do my best to publish all 14 during this year's Holy Week.