Next.. the trial of Jesus moves from the Jewish Night Court to the courts of Herod and Pilate.  Though Jesus was an innocent man, he was chosen by the chants of a jeering crowd to be crucified in place of career criminal Barabbas.

Just think, on Sunday the crowds shouted HOSANNA, and just 5 days later 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 observed 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. In reality they were all just players in the salvation plan orchestrated by God

So if they were just pawns in God's Passion Play there is another question.. 

Who was to blame for the crucifixion of Jesus?

• Judas who betrayed him? 
• The High Priests wrongly convicted Jesus?
• Pilate with the power to sentence him? or
• me a sinner?
  the correct answer.. 
  
• all of the above!

We are all sinners, and Jesus came to Earth to live amongst us, to teach us, to die, and be ressurected for our sins. We are the reason Jesus was crucified for our sins while nailed to that cross.

THE CRUCIFIXION 
The beatings and crucifixion of Jesus are 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 nailed to a CROSS 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.

Even while hanging on that cross Jesus shares this same grace and love to the repentant Thief on the cross when he asked Jesus to remember him when you are in your kingdom, and Jesus replied.. "Today, you will be with me in paradise." This moment was another example of the heart of the gospel. God's grace is not about our report card.  It is love and forgiveness of a loving parent.

While midweek was the calm before the storm.. Thursday is when the purpose of the Holy week and 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 share in The Last Supper.  The disciples were innocently oblivious to what was about to happen and I believe so would all of us. There were only quiet words and compassion expressed 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.

The Garden of 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 as it all was part of God's plan to save the world. 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 religious leaders for an graveyard shift fixed courtroom.

This was no true trial as the verdict had been decided well before the arrest of Jesus. The hatred of Jesus by the Jewish religious folk of the day inspired this after midnight travesty of justice. As Justice was not the purpose of this gathering, but death of this man named Jesus was.
The testimonies against Jesus were supported and fixed as a parade of false testimonials, and teller of tall tales were brought forward as witnesses for the state.
These lies against Jesus were used to fuel high drama in this early morning mock court in session. One priest cried out in outrage as part of this hateful mob scene.

What a horrible empty day this was as each hour grew progressively worse leading up to Good Friday when Jesus was crucified.  But, thank you God this horrible day was just one piece in your great plan for salvation.  Yes Jesus would be crucified, but then resurrected that first Easter morning.

May God bless each of us with the realization of this wonderful Holy Week message of salvation.

Blessings, Jeff