Betrayed by a close friend. Echoes of scoffs. Pained by what is to come. Drained, Jesus stood in front of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
“Are you the King of the Jews?”, Pilate asked.
“So you say!” Jesus answered. (As is written in Mathew 27)
The crowd roared with accusations, with the word “Crucifixion” being the loudest among all else. Pilate knew that Jesus was an innocent man but he had to appease the animosity of the Jews. So, he ordered for Jesus to be scourged. The Roman scourge was horrible—whipping designed to remove the flesh from the back of the one being punished.
But…The people wanted Jesus’ end. A brutal end.
In a final effort to help Jesus, Pilate offered the prisoner Barabbas to be crucified and Jesus released—as at every Passover festival the Roman governor could set free a prisoner chosen by the crowd. They called for Barabbas to be released though, and Jesus, be crucified.
Pilate granted their demand and surrendered Jesus to their will. He washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am not responsible for the death of this man!” The whole crowd answered, “Let the responsibility for his death fall on us and on our children!”
A notorious criminal, released. An innocent man, crucified. It was a Friday of rejection, pain and heartbreak.
The soldiers went on to insult Jesus. They stripped Him down, put a scarlet robe on Him, a thorn crown on His head and a reed stick in His right hand as a sceptre. The Bible says, “they knelt in front of Him and mocked Him—Hail, king of the Jews!”
Jesus was spat on. Many cursed his name. He was made to stand naked. And the worst bit—He was alone through it all. It was a Friday of hopelessness and extreme pain—physical and emotional.
And then…they gave Him the cross. The nailed Him on it and waited to see Him die. Even by-passers who walked past the cross shouted, “You said You were going to rebuild the temple!” “If You are the Son of God, save Yourself!”
Religious leaders shouted, “He can’t save Himself!”
Jesus remained quiet, I am always bewildered on how He could keep quiet despite scores of people hurling wrongful accusations?—on a side note, it is one of the most important lessons I’ve had to learn over my past season from Jesus’ life— the importance of keeping quiet and waiting for the Father God to vindicate— it takes WISDOM, PATIENCE and TRUST. Let him write your story—trust His plan.
But we see Jesus spoke at the top of His voice later on. Not to the crowds though but to His Father. “Eloi, Eloi Lama Sabachthani?” (“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”)
A Friday that we now call good but over 2000 years back, this Friday recorded a gory tale of betrayal, bloodshed and bondage.
Then came Saturday. A day of silence.
The crowds that put Jesus on the cross were rejoicing. Satan must have rejoiced too as he won the victory. The disciples and followers of Jesus were put to shame as they believed Jesus was the Messiah and now He is gone. Disappointed, ashamed and lifeless was exactly how those who put their trust in Jesus felt.
But little did they know about the victory that was scheduled the next day. The weekend had only started. There was more to Jesus’ story.
Jesus died but He was not dead for long. That Sunday morning, the tomb was empty. Death was defeated—The Lamb of God had risen.
What season of life are you in?—Friday, Saturday or Sunday. One thing I want you to remember is that Jesus went through all three so He fully and truly understands what you are going through.
I can take my utterly broken heart to Jesus because He was heartbroken once and He understands my pain.
Hebrews 4:15 says,
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.”
I don’t know what season of life you are in but I do know that only Jesus can empathise with whatever you are going through. And like Jesus’ story, your season of brokenness and hopelessness is not the end—a resurrection is coming.
I want to gently speak hope into your spirit—your Sunday is coming too. And nothing can stop it. Like the resurrection of Jesus, God has a plan for our resurrection. Hold on to His promises and plans for they are good.
You might be in the most hopeless state; in the dingy, dark tomb. Know that the tomb stone will be broken, the grave will be demolished. He is faithful even when we are faithless. Things may not be rosy right now but I urge you to trust God with your story—He writes it the best.
It was not a normal weekend. Neither was it the end. That Sunday marked the beginning of our freedom—new life, new hope, new story.
Happy Resurrection Sunday.
Consider this:
As a Passion Week special, here is a one-liner reminder for you: “The battle has already been won on the cross—a victorious weekend, one could say!”
Friday – You may be in a season of grief, pain, misunderstanding, disease or rejection. The ones near and dear may have left you to fend for yourself. Know that you are not alone. God is fighting with you and for you. Jesus knows every kind of pain and struggle you could think of and He has been through it—He won’t leave you for sure. This is not the end of your story!
Saturday – Pin-drop silence. Are you in a season of wait or delay? Know that God’s ways and plans for you are never late or early, it is just in time. Like the famous hymn goes, “In His time, He makes all things beautiful.” So hang in there, this is not the end either.
Sunday – Listen carefully—a tomb is getting demolished. Shout a loud Hallelujah! And do a victory dance. Resurrection is here. This is how the story ends, or may be, it goes on to eternity.