Easter Week - Friday

"And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.' And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, 'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.' ~Luke 22:39-42

"Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?' They answered Him, 'Jesus the Nazarene.' He said to them, 'I am He.' And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them."

"So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year."

"So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest."

"Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this Man?'"

 ~John 18:2-5, 12-13, 24, 28-29

Then Pilate questions Jesus and once again goes out to the Jews and says, "I find no guilt in Him."

"Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and said to them, 'Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.' Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, 'Behold, the Man.' So when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out saying, 'Crucify, crucify!"

"So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified."

"Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

~John 19:1-6, 16, 30

The details of the Crucifixion are some of the most inhumane actions taken upon any person that has ever lived. But when you understand that these actions were taken upon the Son of God, who came to give His life that I might live, it is almost unbearable to think about, much less read on the written page. God, in His mercy, sent His Son to die this horrific death; Jesus, in His love for His Father, died this horrific death. There just are not words to express the gratitude for this grace and mercy on my behalf.