The Final Week of Jesus
Friday..
Just 1 week before his crucifixion Jesus has '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. Then as Mary performs the extravagant act of love by washing Jesus feet with expensive perfume we find Judas is aghast. How noble.. NOT!
Sunday..
Just a couple short days later we have Palm Sunday.
Now to have a triumphant entry fit for a king I guess 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 to cheering crowds, there were the Critics. ... the bragging donkey, the dopey donkey and finally...
high drama ‘On the Stable Front’.
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, the temple birds salesman, and the slinkee and pet rocks vendors have made it a true den of thieves. I guess frustrated was a true understatement.
After setting things straight in the Temple, Jesus took out his angst on 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 the room is prepared for the Last Supper.
The Last Supper was that emotional heartfelt gathering of Jesus and his disciples. 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, Peter 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. "
Of course the 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 climax to the Holy week where 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.
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 pawns in God's plan for salvation. and the question remains...
Which of The Usual Suspects was to blame for the crucifixion of Jesus.. was it 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 so Jesus dies.
Then the skies turn Dark, the guards grow afraid , the ground shakes, and the Temple Curtain Tears from top to bottom in the face of much denial. But the message of the Cross though lost at this grievous moment is the very POWER OF GOD, not only for the repentant Thief on the cross next to Jesus who was now in paradise, but also for all mankind. 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.
Saturday
While I don't believe anything is written to have occurred on Saturday it had to be a 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.
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 from the post resurrection 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.
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 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 of course 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 was Jesus was alive, and there was now an Empty Tomb for Rent still with that fresh tomb smell!.. no matter what kind of cover up for money scheme was given.. JESUS WAS ALIVE!
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 of celebrating Easter, BUT we must all realize the difference between Cute Tradition v Amazing Truth of Easter. 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 a word of perspective regarding two-timers by the BPs very own DEAR CRABBY
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
** 2011 Calendars ** <-- new to the Back Pew
Key Scriptures of Inspiration in The Back Pew
(1) Love God.. love others.. Mt. 22:37-39 (2) Trust God with all your heart.. Pr. 3:5-6
(3) The Lord is my Shepherd.. Ps.23 (4) Dwell on what is true, honorable, and pure.. Phil 4:8
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