So here we are at the end of Lent - well, almost, and it's Good Friday. The day Jesus died on the cross.
Jesus dying on the cross completes a cycle starting with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt - kinda of a long story, but it's the biggest one of all mankind.....God, Sin, Christ, Love.....that's the synopsis!!! With the death of Jesus came the resurrection of Christ and God of Love.
But another interesting perspective is one of the time - the conditions and situations as it was on that day - the trial, the Passion, the death. All on Good Friday.
During the time of Jesus's life in Palestine, there were many religious sects, and Jesus's group was considered just another religious sect. Jesus did make a substantial mark, which brought him to the attention of the authorities, both the Jewish and Romans, who were both disturbed by his increasing popularity and unwillingness to bow to their authority.
The solution for the authorities was death - a particularly horrific, torturous death to stop any sort of insurrection to the authorities. This is what had always worked in the past. Judea was a trouble-making spot in the Roman Empire and Herod had been sent to "clean it up" and no better way than through terror and torture and death.
So Jesus is sentenced to death and dies - no longer a leader - no longer available to his supporters, or so the authorities thought.
But from the followers point of view, this has to be a terribly scary time to put it mildly. Peter has denied Jesus, Judas has betrayed him, Jesus dies and there's no hope. The movement is doomed. The Jewish and Roman authorities have retained their stranglehold on the people and their threat for any future religious sects.
So what happens to all that Jesus had preached?...is it valid?....is it to be followed? What about ask?...seek?...knock?...believe? What about the miracles? What about this God of Love that Jesus preached about? Is He gone?
The depression and rejection from the disciplines and all of Jesus's followers must have been over-whelming. They had given everything to this man: their lives, love and soul to Jesus, and now he was gone; he was dead. This was the end.
I can not help but be awed by the strength and courage of this group of people. They had no idea what was coming and all they could see was no hope and possible annihilation, and the real truth is that at this time, if the crucifixion of the leader didn't quell the movement, then the major followers were also crucified, so many of the disciples such as John, Peter, Paul, Matthew were most likely consumed with the fear that they were next on the cross. And although this was a terrifyingly horrifying way to die, the major loss would be their presence and leadership.
We remember Mary going to the tomb on Sunday morning, and the re-appearance of the resurrected Christ to his disciples and followers, but today, this sad day, Jesus has gone.
What would our life today be like w/o Christ?....without the life, teachings and example of Christ? It's impossible to imagine, but this is exactly what the disciples and followers of Christ experience on the first Good Friday.
Here's to the third day.....Easter! Isn't it wonderful we know we have this to look forward to.
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