Way of the cross
Key Verses: 4, 15, 20, 24, 25, 29, 37, 42, 46, 51, 64
It is hard to know exactly what Judas’ words and actions really mean. He certainly regrets his actions, but from other Scripture we know it was not true repentance. But that is not to say that everyone who commits suicide has not repented. This is one of those areas that only the Lord knows. We can’t know the condition of someone’s heart. We can’t know the condition of the chief priests’ hearts either. There may have been, and probably were, some who came to faith in Christ, even though their actions at this point say something very different. At least there would be a place for the poorest of the poor to be buried. Something good came out of something so evil.
We have no outside collaborating evidence that this custom existed. But it might have been a short-lived custom. But it made little difference, because the religious leaders stir up the crowd and ask for the murderer instead. Sometimes we get exactly what we ask for! And sometimes the Lord allows us to feel the consequences of our own rebellion.
Despite Pilate’s symbolic hand washing, he was responsible for Jesus’ execution. He was the Roman authority in that area. The decision was his, and his alone. We can’t pass our authority onto someone else so easily. Husbands have the responsibility for everything that happens in the home. It can’t be passed to the wife. Ultimately, God will hold him responsible, not his wife. We can’t pass the buck. Pilate had to fill out the paperwork. It was on his shoulders. Even though the crowd accepted responsibility, Pilate still bore it. It was his decision.
Sometimes people left without good leadership do some terrible things. We have pictures from a prison in Iraq to prove it. If you look you will see examples of terrible things done by people all around the world. Humans really are not very nice to each other! We have the capacity to be downright devilish. Sin really has left its stain on us.
The sign over Jesus’ head, placed by the Romans, was mean to express their power over the Jews. They could kill their ‘king.’ But the common people joined in the attack by shouting insults and taunts. The religious leaders joined the voices of insult. Even the two rebels threw insults. Jesus feels alone. Wouldn’t you?
We might be tempted to think that the center of gravity was Golgotha and the events happening there, but in the Temple the way is opened for everyone to enter God’s presence. Even some dead people were raised to life (not to a zombie state) and were seen after Jesus’ resurrection. Something happens in the heart of the Roman commander at the scene. His heart is softened.
Paranoia cannot be cured by murder. Even after Jesus’ death, the religious leaders are afraid of Him and His influence. Guilt will haunt us, sometimes to the point of insanity. But their best efforts to contain Jesus fall short. Their most elite military troops can’t keep Jesus in the grave. Even the wrath of the Roman government symbolized in the seal doesn’t stop life from emanating from the tomb. They were always looking on the outside of things. Jesus works from the inside out.
The Arnold Journey 