THE FINAL WEEK OF JESUS

FRIDAY..
Just 1 week before the crucifixion of Jesus the gospels tell us about 'Dinner at Simon's.

You know it is a happening event when former leper Simon throws a dinner party with former dead person Lazarus attending. They were both lookin’ good for a couple guys who had either 1 or both feet in the grave... but still I would be careful about the finger foods being served by a former leper. ewwwwwwww!

Then as Mary performs the extravagant act of love by washing Jesus feet with expensive perfume we find Judas is aghast as he sees this as such a waste rather than an extravagant act of love and worship.

SUNDAY..
Just a couple short days later we have the first Palm Sunday.
Now to have a triumphant entry fit for a king you need a donkey, and so the disciples were sent out to request the right ride with the words... "The Master has need of it." But... as Jesus rides down the streets on this donkey to cheering crowds (even some tourists cheered), there were a few Palm Sunday Pouters outraged at thecheering crowds honoring Jesus. .. and the donkey Jesus rode was later embarrassed when he learned the cheering crowds were NOT for him. BUT after a few days he was over his embarrasement and could be found back at thestable bragging. Then there was the donkey who was not chosen resulting in
high drama ‘On the Stable Front’ lamenting a life that could have been IF HE HAD BEEN JESUS CHOSEN RIDE.


MONDAY..
As the final week of Jesus continues, we find Jesus frustrated with the true mess the temple had become. The Temple should be the house of worship instead the ATM moneychangers, and a market place featuring the temple birds salesman, the slinkee and pet rocks table, and the Bible Bobblehead vendors reducing the temple into a true den of thieves. I guess frustrated was a true understatement as he clears the temple.

After turning over a few tables in the Temple, Jesus took out his angst by cursing an innocent fig tree. This was a lesson NOT LOST on his disciples.








TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY..
So onward and forward to the middle of the week Jesus keeps on teaching and reaching out to others. To me it is sadly ironic that so quickly after Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem all seems forgotten culminating when Judas INFAMOUS plan of betrayal is made.

THURSDAY..
While midweek was the calm before the storm.. Thursday is when the purpose of the Holy week when all the pieces of the Easter message came together.

In the evening a room is prepared for the emotional gathering of Jesus and his disciples to partake in The Last Supper.. They were innocently oblivious to what was about to happen and I believe so would all of us. There are only quiet words and compassion shared between Jesus and his closest friends on this night. Of course as a cartoonist I do have one little toon lamenting the risks of breaking bread in fear of bad carbs.

GETHSEMANE was the next setting where Jesus prepared for the time of his arrest, and for what was to happen in the coming hours.

None of this was a surprise to Jesus, all of this was part of his plan. Jesus prays while his disciples sleep, and while Jesus continues to agonize over what is to come, he prays "not my will but yours be done" and Satan is stomped. all while Judas approaches with Jesus captors.

THE ARREST OF JESUS.. While Jesus knew his arrest was eminent it was a shock and emotional devastation for his disciples who just the Sunday before were effectively the presidential cabinet for the soon to be exalted King of the Jews. So as Jesus is arrested his captors initially fall over like dominos.

Then Peter leaps into action to save ironically the.. Savior and chops off the ear of one of those in the arresting party, but Jesus heals the severed ear and then does a quick check with the words.. " Can you hear me now? Good. "


So the disciples scatter in fear, and Jesus is brought before the religous leaders and their conviction of Jesus was supported and fixed as a parade of false testimonials, and their tall tales were brought in as witnesses for the state.



This inspired much high drama in the court including one priestly conniption, and another who just went BOING!







FRIDAY..
Good Friday is the sobering day of the Holy week when Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.. BUT of course the death of Jesus on Good Friday was just a prelude to the complete story of salvation which was the resurrection of Jesus Christ in just 3 days!

As mentioned earlier the disciples never saw the arrest of Jesus coming and ran away in the night at the time of Jesus arrest. Then while the Jewish portion of his trial was going on, Peter falls farther from God as in a panic in the courtyard he denies that he even knew Jesus. Then Judas, the disciple of Jesus feels the shame and burden of his betrayal for just 30 pieces of silver and goes out and hangs himself.

Next the TRIAL OF JESUS moves from the Jewish Church Courts to those of Herod and then Pilate and though Jesus was obviously an innocent man, he was chosen by the chants of a jeering crowd to be crucified instead of career criminal Barabbas. Just think, on Sunday the crowds shouted HOSANNA, and the very next Friday they shout CRUCIFY HIM! I would like to think these were two entirely different crowds of people, but after enduring a few election cycles in America in my lifetime I have observered man is at best.. fickle.


So at the end of the trials
Barabbas believes he is free,
Pilate believes he was in control, and
Satan believed he won the battle.

but they were all just players in God's plan for salvation. and the question remains...

So the question of the day is WHO WAS TO BLAME for the crucifixion of Jesus.. a. Judas who betrayed him, b. the High Priests with their pious/biased conviction, c. Pilate who believed he had the power to sentence him, or d. me a sinner... the answer.. E all of the above!


THE CRUCIFIXION- The beatings and crucifixion of Jesus is not proper material for a cartoonist, and beyond the comprehension of my comfortable world.

To think this was all part of God's plan for salvation and even when hanging on the CROSS and the compassion of Jesus still shows compassion and perspective that is incomparable with the words "Father Forgive Them for they know not what they do." and then with his last breath Jesus declares "It is Finished!"



With these final words JESUS DIES. Then the skies turn Dark, the guards grow afraid , the ground shakes, and the Temple Curtain Tears from top to bottom!

But the message of the Cross though lost at this grievous moment is the very POWER OF GOD. This amazing story of grace and love by the son of God crucified on a cross as a sacrifice for a fallen world is about to be completed on that first Easter morning.


This grace and love given freely to the repentant Thief on the cross hanging next to Jesus on this first Good Friday delivered him this very day to paradise, AND NOW this same grace and love was there for all mankind.

SATURDAY..
While I don't believe anything is written to have occurred on Saturday it had to be the longest day of confusion and reflection for all involved.
- I wonder if Pilate could move past what he did on Friday washing his hands of Jesus crucifixion though he approved it.
- The High Priests who convicted Jesus with the legalistic contempt and jealousy of Jesus who was loved by the people who they piously led up until Jesus arrival on the scene.. and what to do about this torn temple curtain, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS.. does their temple insurance policy cover supernatural earthquakes when God shakes the earth after you have falsely convicted His son? I don't think so.
- What did Satan think? Did he actually believe he had won or was he simply trying to enjoy the moment that he knew would soon be over.. and LOST.

What about Jesus disciples, his followers? I can't imagine the empty gut feeling his disciples must have had the day Jesus was crucified, or their range of emotions the next day. In less than 1 week their lives had moved from the adrenaline rush of that first Palm Sunday as Jesus was welcomed by cheering crowds, but just 5 short days later he is falsely convicted and crucified to jeering crowds. From exhilarated to heart sick in 5 short days.

Finally, what about Mary the mother of Jesus? What must it felt like to be the chosen mother of God now seeing her son Jesus crucified. I know a pure mothers heart loves unconditionally and is always there for her child no matter their choices and shortcomings, BUT Mary's first born was perfect.. and not just in the eyes of a mother. Her life journey from being the chosen mother of the Messiah that first Christmas morning to the crucifixion of her son.

I can only imagine Saturday was a day of processing and prayer like never before. Where in the face of what appeared to be the finality of Jesus death there was still the teachings of hope and of Jesus bigger plan. After all the miracles and inspired teachings and all the times feeling Jesus love for them I believe they believed it was not over.


SUNDAY!!
Empty Tomb.. Risen Savior

Each of the 4 gospels recounts Jesus resurrection from a slightly different perspective, but all confirm the same truth that Jesus was alive!

This Sunday morning moved quickly
- One Gosple shares of a Sunday Stroll with Jesus unaware, which then inspired the first Empty Tomb Dash where the gold medal went to John because of his sprinters kick not found in most fishermen.
- Another Gospel tells us the tomb was visited only to find the stone rolled away, and greeted inside by angels..
- Another Gospel tells of the tomb rolled away with an angel sitting on this stone.

While the details of each gospel shared varied the focus of the message in each gospel was the same.. JESUS IS RISEN!



This rollercoaster ride week was now riding high as Independence Day from sin was here! From Jesus humble beginnings being born in a barn, through his sinless, selfless life, to his undeserved brutal death on the cross, and now finally his resurrection this all marked that God's perfect plan of love and salvation was complete.

There was a CSI Empty Tomb moment that could NOT resolve the case of the resurrected savior based on the laws of nature. There findings were the empty tomb could only be explained if the supernatural hand of God was included in the evidence.

Bottom line .. JESUS IS ALIVE!.. and no matter what kind of cover up for money scheme was given there was now an EMPTY TOMB FOR RENT still with that fresh tomb smell!..

Not recored anywhere in the gospels is a Back Pew image of irony that first Easter morning as Pilate ponders the true meaning regarding the events of these last days.


TODAY EASTER..
has become a time where regular church attendees join CE (Christmas and Easter) attendees making their second pilgrimage of the year to church. Along with these two groups are a blend of people who enjoy the Easter fantasy and fun of coloring eggs, Easter egg hunts, and the hiding of Easter baskets on Sunday morning. For me all of these parts of today's Easter and more are a welcomed part ofcelebrating Easter,

BUT we must all realize the difference between a CuteTradition v Amazing Truth of a Risen Savior. To not realize and celebrate Jesus Christ as our savior at Easter would be truly unfortunate.

May God bless and speak to each of you regarding this Holy week of Jesus. May His message of perfect love and grace as demonstrated by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ shake you to your core.

Let me leave you with the LIGHTER SIDE OF EASTER with a cartoon I like to call..

<<-- An Easter sermon gone STRANGE

and finally a link to Easter ... Wabbits...and Wascals!!
(aka Easter Bunny & Friends)





Holy Week BP Commentaries
1. A Judas State of Mind
2. Jesus.. temper, temper