Our Passover Lamb is Slain

In my previous post, Gethsemane to Calvary, I shared the events of the illegitimate trial of Christ by the High Priest and his council. Moreover, this sham of a trial ended up with them accusing Jesus of treason to Pilate, so that Pilate would be tricked into passing the death sentence. Today as we remember our Lord’s sacrifice, I will be sharing the events of the Crucifixion and burial of our Passover Lamb.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

After the sentence is passed, we read in Matthew 27:27-31:

^“Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.” Then they:

• Stripped him
• Put a scarlet robe on him
• Wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head
• Placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter
• Knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “hail! King of the jews!” 
• Spit on him
• Grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 
• When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again.
• Led him away to be crucified.

Unfolding the Crucifixion Event

The Path of the Via Del a Rosa

The Via Dolorosa literally means “the sorrowful way,”. It is the traditional route in Jerusalem which our Lord traveled on the day of His crucifixion from the judgment seat of Pilate, also called the Praetorium, to the place of His crucifixion on Mount Calvary. 

The Via Dolorosa is now marked with fourteen “stations of the cross” commemorating fourteen incidents that took place along the way. At least five of these incidents are not recorded in the Bible, springing instead of Roman Catholic tradition.

• Sandy Patti has a beautiful song titled Via Dolorosa that you can listen to here.
• You can also view the walk through the Via Dolorosa at Jesus-Walks.com or Biblewalks.com.

• Matthew 27:32 – Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 
• In Luke 23:27 we see a large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 
• Jesus turns and prophesizes of the future to the women following along. (See Luke 23:28-30)
• Matthew 27:33 – And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 
  • Read an excellent short article here by Mark Hamby to learn more about the Place of the Skull.

On the Cross

• Mark 15:25 states: It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Jesus. 
• Matthew 27:34 –The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
• John 19:18 -Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 

Forgiveness from the Cross

• Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
• Luke 23:39-43 – “One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? …But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹ We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

O how we can Be Encouraged that up until our lost loved ones or friend’s final breath there is forgiveness for sins! Nothing can separate us from the love of the Creator of All!

The Charge Against Christ

Matthew 27:37 states: A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 

John gives us a little more detail:

And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” ²⁰ The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek so that many people could read it. ²¹ Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” – John 19:19-22

• Read: The Hidden Hebrew Message on the Pilate’s Cross By Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg or
• The article at CompellingTruth.org

All four Gospels tell us that the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. John in his Gospel further adds that there were four soldiers and it was the robe, which was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom that they threw dice for. This fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 22:18

The Spectators

Both Matthew and Mark share with us that the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery, (Matthew 27:39 and Mark 15:29) as well as the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.  (Matthew 27:41 and Mark 15:31)

We also understand from Matthew 27:55-56: many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.  ⁵⁶ Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

John 19:25-27 also records the event of Jesus addressing His mother and turning her care over to the Apostle John:

²⁵ Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on, this disciple took her into his home.

Did you ever consider why Jesus entrusted Mary to John instead of to His brothers? You can read the answer at GotQuestions.org.

The Death of Jesus

To understand more about the flogging of Jesus and the torture of being crucified in more detail read an excerpt here titled How Did Jesus Die?

Matthew 27:45 – At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 

⁴⁶ At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” The words from Psalm 22:1

John 19:28-30 states: Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. ³⁰ When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Matthew 27:50 states: Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 

You may want to read that last part of the above verse once more. It states: he released his spirit.

Jesus himself decided when he would take his last breath! No one else! No man on earth, nor any demon in hell and especially Satan who could not wait for the crucifixion had a say when Jesus would take his last breath!

“¹⁸ No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.” – John 10:18 (AMP)

Jesus CHrist the Messiah

Therefore, as a child of the Most-High God, heir to the Kingdom of God, no man on earth, nor any demon in hell, and especially Satan the accuser can say when you take your last breath! Only Yahweh your Creator has that ability!

The Earthquake

Matthew 27:51-53 At that moment of the death of Christ the:

• Curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom
• Earth shook
• Rocks split apart
• Tombs were opened

Luke 23:45 explains it this way: The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.

Matthew 27:53 goes on to tell us: Bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

The Roman Soldiers Reaction

Matthew 27:54 – “The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

An excerpt from the article at military.odb.org: A Centurion was a Roman officer in command of a hundred men. Just as in the military today, Centurions were promoted as they moved onto higher positions of responsibility. It was a position of great honor. A soldier’s promotion to Centurion was almost always based on his good conduct and ability.

Centurions would always lead the charge into battle. And away from the battlefield, Centurions kept good discipline in the ranks, provided security and protection, led police actions in occupied areas and oversaw executions.

They were professional soldiers keeping the law of Rome in occupied Israel. The hated Roman conquerors were brutal in their approach to any and all problems.

Centurions were notable not just for their daring courage, but also for their intelligence and loyalty. It has been said that Centurions were the finest men in the Roman army.

Surely he was the Son of God!” were not fearful words from a frightened new recruit. This was the decision of a seasoned veteran who had been watching men die horrible deaths for years.

The Centurion was commanded to execute Jesus by the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Yet in his statement, the Centurion disagrees with the authorities that Jesus deserved death, and instead agrees that Jesus is indeed God. What made him change his mind? Read more here.

Breaking the Legs

“³¹ It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. ³² So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. ³³ But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. ³⁴ One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.”– John 19:31-34

John 19:35-37 testifies: (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) ³⁶ These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken” a fulfillment of Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20.

³⁷ and “They will look on the one they pierced.” This is a fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10.

The Burial of Jesus

Scripture states there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. Moreover, he was a rich man from Arimathea. Joseph was an honored member of the high council and was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. However, he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He had become a follower of Jesus and had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders).

As evening approached, he took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer to check if it was true. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. Nicodemus was with him.

As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

They brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial. They wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. Matthew states that the tomb where Jesus was placed belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

The Tomb is Sealed

⁶² The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. ⁶³ They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ ⁶⁴ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

⁶⁵ Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” ⁶⁶ So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

• You may be interested in reading the articles: Christ’s Tomb is Sealed by Ligonier.org
• Sealing the Tomb of Jesus by OliveTree.com

What Could Wash our Sins Away?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus could wash our sins away. The question is will you accept the gift He so willingly gave? I pray you will.

But wait! The story is not finished! There is so much more to discover. Death does not end the story. It is only the beginning…

Isaiah 53:5-12 (NLT)

 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
    yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
    And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
    he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
    that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
    and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
    he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
    and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
    he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
    my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
    for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
    because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
    He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.