Judas brought the Temple Guard into the garden and betrayed his friend with a kiss. Jesus was taken away and brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of elders for the Jews. Here he was questioned and eventually sentenced to death for saying that he was the Son of God. Since the Jews did not have the authority to put anyone to death under Roman occupation, Jesus was sent off to the procurator Pontius Pilate in hopes that he would see the danger Jesus posed and crucify him.
I know how this all turns out, but of course each time I read the scriptures or see a film, I wonder what it would have taken to change things. Surely Pilate, despite being a corrupt bureaucrat, would have seen that Jesus was just a poor itinerant preacher probably wanting to be some kind of prophet and was no danger to Rome. Yet, despite the reality of this, Jesus was dragged in front of the gathering crowd outside and put alongside a murderer and thief named Barabbas. Pilate asked the crowd which one should be released, and the multitudes (prompted by the Temple Guard under the direction of the High Priests) inexplicably screamed for Barabbas to be freed, thus condemning Jesus to death.
This part always puzzles me the most. Here was an odd crowd indeed, for many of them no doubt had lined the streets of Jerusalem only that previous Sunday to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem by waving palms and singing his praises vociferously with “Hosanna.” Now they screamed for a murderer and thief to be spared, knowing that Jesus would die because of it. I didn’t understand it as a kid, and now I believe it is just part of the fickle nature of human beings. Once Jesus had been taken into custody, was stripped of his dignity, and had been scourged, he appeared to them as frail and human as any one of them. They were right about that part but the ultimate spiritual message was lost on them.
I always thought calling the day Jesus was crucified “Good Friday” was a strange thing. I wanted to call it “Dark Friday” or “Solemn Friday” or whatever else, but the obvious compulsion toward solemnity is not required here. Yes, Jesus was brutally murdered on the cross, but the ensuing vigil always leads to a glorious moment on Easter Sunday when a victory over death is assured. So even in my darkest despair, I know that I will feel a little leap in my soul three days later, which is probably nothing compared to the overwhelming joy his followers must have felt when they first saw the risen Jesus.
Article comments
1 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Great article, wonderfully written.
2 - Victor Lana
Thank you so very much, Gordon. It's appreciated.
3 - chantal stone
Beautifully written Victor. I also reflect in awe the deep meaning of this week to so many people, including myself, as a Christian.
The commercialism of this holiday always bothers me. A friend--who is easily consumed by materialism and commercialism--asked me the other day if I "celebrate" Easter. The question confused me, really, because I thought how does one actually celebrate? And I asked her this....what she meant of course was about the dying of eggs, Easter baskets for the kids, etc.
I said yes we do those things, just for the fun of it, for the kids' sake, but I reminded her of the deeper meaning of Easter, and in order to truly "celebrate" all that is necessary is Reverence.
Have a wonderful weekend, Victor.
4 - Josh
Good article. "Good Friday" may have originally been "God's Friday", and just eroded to "good" over the centuries.
5 - Lisa McKay
Great piece, Victor.
There's something about this time of year that affects everyone, I think, even us non-religious types, who still manage to find spiritual nourishment in the physical re-birth of the world that takes place all around us every spring. The archetypal themes of redemption and rebirth that underpin this holiday resonate with most people, regardless of their religious convictions. I think it conveys both hope and possibility, and the need to believe in both of those things is pretty universal.
6 - Victor Lana
Josh, that sounds very reasonable (just like "holy day" became "holiday"), still it always bothered me as a kid. Even today I feel depressed as I always have on Good Friday, so I don't feel too well and so on.
All will seem much brighter come Easter at sunrise.
7 - Diane Ensey
Your daughter and her questions reminds me of my brother when he was 5. The Sunday School teacher asked him what Easter was. My brother very solemnly said "It is the day that rabbits burned Jesus on the cross for being a witch". My mother was embarrassed and horrified, but the poor kid just had Halloween and Easter all mixed up.
Lovely post!
8 - Josh
Diane, that is about the most hilarious thing I've heard in a long time!
9 - Victor Lana
That is a great story, Diane. Kids say such fantastic things and you can't make it up any better.
10 - Baronius
Wow. Victor, if blogging has any purpose, it's for sharing articles like this.
11 - Victor Lana
Thank you for your kind comment, Baronius. It's appreciated.
12 - jimbobybob
attack attack
13 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Another fine article I managed to find as a result of some fool launching a spam attack.
I don't agree with the sentiments expressed above, Victor, but I can understand them, and the sense of mystery and awe you feel.
In addition, this was a fine piece of writing.
14 - Victor Lana
As always, Ruvy, I appreciate it when fine writers like you read my work and give praise. Thank you.