#the Crowd shouts for Barabbas

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Jesus Brought before Pilate

1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. 2 They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

The Suicide of Judas

3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” 7 After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Pilate Questions Jesus

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Barabbas or Jesus?

15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Hands Jesus Over to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ” 44 The rebels who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

55 Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who also was himself a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, his disciples may go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. — Matthew 27 | New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 20:6; Genesis 31:11; Genesis 50:5; Exodus 21:32; Exodus 26:31; Numbers 4:5; Deuteronomy 21:6; Joshua 2:19; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 20:32; 2 Samuel 17:23; 2 Kings 13:21; 2 Kings 19:21; Psalm 22:8; Psalm 22:16; Psalm 31:13; Psalm 69:21; Psalm 71:10; Psalm 94:21; Isaiah 22:16; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:7; Isaiah 53:9; Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 26:8; Daniel 6:17; Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 1:16; Matthew 2:2; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 20:19; Matthew 26:61; Matthew 26:63; Matthew 28:1; Matthew 28:11; Matthew 28:14-5; Mark 7:11; Mark 15:2; Mark 15:5-6; Mark 15:15; 15:42-43; Luke 23:5; Luke 23:9; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:9; John 19:14; John 20:1; Acts 1:19; Acts 3:14; Acts 5:28; Acts 13:28; Romans 16:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; James 1:5; Hebrews 5:7

[moonfruito]

the set up of the last scene as a crucifixion is insane. the connotations of jesus' crucification is obvious, but what's especially insane about that to me is how jesus' death was also decided on by audience vote. pontius plate asked the crowd whether they wanted jesus to be killed in exchange for the release of the murderer barabbas. pilate emphasised to the audience that he was not responsible, and the audience accepted that christ's blood was on their hands. ranboo has cast us in the role of the bloodthirsty audience. you might claim that the difference between them is that ranboo asked us to kill them, but jesus was also always intended to die. he did not protest when his fate was declared because he knew this was always how it was going to end. this is as it was prophesied. jesus did not want to die, but he accepted death because this was the only way given to him. similarly, although pilate is not blameless, the blood is on our hands. we chose his death. but there was no other way that this story would have gone.

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”"

- Matthew 26:39

""What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.

They all answered, "Crucify him!"

"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

All the people answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!""

- Matthew 27:22-5

[cleansedmedia]

And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Luke 23:18‭-‬21 NKJV

Symbolically, we all are Barabbas. A prisoner of rebellion, guilty of murder and a number of other things. Yet, we were let go, set free, and Christ the most innocent man that ever walked the Earth, took our place.

Death was certain for Barabbas. 3 crosses were prepared, one of them for us, the rebellious murder.

As we reflect this Good Friday,

Consider standing before the crowd next to Christ that day; What look would He have given you? What look would have given Him? Seek Christ and His Mercy and Grace. He loves you so much.

[myremnantarmy]

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Mk 15:1-39

As soon as morning came,

the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,

that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.

They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.

Pilate questioned him,

“Are you the king of the Jews?”

He said to him in reply, “You say so.”

The chief priests accused him of many things.

Again Pilate questioned him,

“Have you no answer?

See how many things they accuse you of.”

Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them

one prisoner whom they requested.

A man called Barabbas was then in prison

along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.

The crowd came forward and began to ask him

to do for them as he was accustomed.

Pilate answered,

“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

For he knew that it was out of envy

that the chief priests had handed him over.

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd

to have him release Barabbas for them instead.

Pilate again said to them in reply,

“Then what do you want me to do

with the man you call the king of the Jews?”

They shouted again, “Crucify him.”

Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?”

They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,

released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,

handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace,

that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.

They clothed him in purple and,

weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.

They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.

They knelt before him in homage.

And when they had mocked him,

they stripped him of the purple cloak,

dressed him in his own clothes,

and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,

a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,

the father of Alexander and Rufus,

to carry his cross.

They brought him to the place of Golgotha

—which is translated Place of the Skull —

They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,

but he did not take it.

Then they crucified him and divided his garments

by casting lots for them to see what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.

The inscription of the charge against him read,

“The King of the Jews.”

With him they crucified two revolutionaries,

one on his right and one on his left.

Those passing by reviled him,

shaking their heads and saying,

“Aha! You who would destroy the temple

and rebuild it in three days,

save yourself by coming down from the cross.”

Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,

mocked him among themselves and said,

“He saved others; he cannot save himself.

Let the Christ, the King of Israel,

come down now from the cross

that we may see and believe.”

Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land

until three in the afternoon.

And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”

which is translated,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Some of the bystanders who heard it said,

“Look, he is calling Elijah.”

One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed

and gave it to him to drink saying,

“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.

When the centurion who stood facing him

saw how he breathed his last he said,

“Truly this man was the Son of God!”

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Released From Our Sins

Verse of the day

========================

Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN AFFIRMATION **

I AM CHOOSING GOD

I AM CHOOSING LIGHT

I AM ALLOWING MY LIGHT TO SHINE

I AM RELEASED FROM MY SINS

********************************

Thoughts

=======================

Just like Barabbas, we were set free of our sins; just like Barabbas, Jesus took his place for him; he took our place for us, with no questions ask he was free to go amongst the people and do as he wanted; Jesus stood silently as he left, just like us when Jesus set us free from a life of sin he sits silently and waits to see what will we do, will we serve him or will we continue in our way, the story leaves us to see that Barabbas was set free, it tells us in verse 7”And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.”

When you hear this story, we’re in rage that a murderer was set free; we’re upset that an innocent man is nailed to the cross because the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus verse 11 “But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

That’s what we do every day when we choose sin over Jesus; we choose sin over a righteous life, we choose sin over a life of holiness, we choose sin over Jesus; no, we don’t have to shout it from a crowd of people our decisions shout it for us, the way we act and handle situations shouts it for us, instead of being light on top of the hill, our life choices dim us, and we become dim by not spending our time with Christ, we become dim day after day because we go with our emotions over Him, we grow dim because we allow what others do cried our judgment whether we should be spending time with him, or even living a righteous life.

“Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

It tells us in this verse to be a light for the world to see, not hide our gifts, and not be like the world where people can’t tell us from the world but light; it tells us our light suppose to be so bright that it gives others hope and gives others a reason to change because of the light we suppose to carry, our good deeds suppose to shows we are different. Still, how can the world tell us from people when we don’t glorify God? We glorify our bodies and emotions, we do what others do , we don’t have compassion for our fellow man , we accept the traditions of the world .

We as Christians have to start being a light into this world; it’s very few of us that look and act differently; we allow the worldview on what’s cool or hip or whatever the latest words or trends are to control our view on our relationship with God, to have a relationship with God we must represent him inside and out, our looks and how we handle things should be different right? Or speech must be different, right? But it’s not; so many of us who live our day-to-day trying to blend when we should try to be different.

“Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Philippians tells us that we should be blameless with a blemish in the midst of this world in the midst of this generation; it tells us again to shine as a light, but how do we stand out? We stand out by allowing the light of God to show; we stand out by allowing God to be our everything! By showing who we serve, by loving one another, by our actions, we can’t point and shake our finger at the crowd that said they chose Barabbas when we have picked shoes, money, clothes, people, etc., over him.

** Today, who do you choose? Will you be like Joshua, or will you be the crowd? What will you show the world? Will you hide your love for God behind your choices, or will you allow your deeds to speak for you? Every day we must choose, and today we must choose God by spending time with him, loving him, and giving him praise! Letting the world see who do we give up everything for , change is done slowly, but accepting and showing your love for Jesus starts now , it starts today! Don’t hide who you are and the joy he’s given you for this world !©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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Prayer

========================

Heavenly Father, help us to show others who we are in you, help us to choose you every day. Lord, give us strength to desire you more than things of this world. Lord, we are so grateful for everything; we thank you for allowing your son to choose us; we didn’t deserve it, just like Barabbas didn’t, but we are grateful we wanted to be everything you want and more; lord helps us to understand your word. Lord, take care of all our situations right now! Please show us how to do your will; he’ll help us focus on you daily. Lord, your word says no weapon form against us shall prosper, and we ask you to take down our enemies and situations; in Jesus' Name Amen

========================

Reference

========================

+John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

+1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

+Romans 6:4 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

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Further reading

=========================

1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40

Acts 27:1-20

Psalm 7:1-17

Proverbs 18:22

[sjymchriste]

Passion Week: The Unfair Exchange - Luke 23:13-25

"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will."

Barabbas is a violent criminal and surely worthy of crucifixion. The crowd, however, shouts for Jesus to assume Barabbas's punishment, and Pilate acquiesces to appease them and avoid a riot. The only reason Pilate surrenders Jesus to the will of the people is because Jesus has already surrendered His will to the Father.

It is commonly asked, "If Jesus is indeed God, why doesn't he show himself today?" I can't help but think it's because for two reasons. One, people will still treat Him as a criminal and try to crucify Him today. Two, He continues to extend His mercies in giving time for people to repent. In this mockery of a trial in which Jesus appears to be helpless, He is actually in complete control. And the next time He returns, it will be much more obvious that He is still in control.

For in His first coming, He came as the suffering Servant. The Man of Sorrows. In His second coming, He will come as the conquering King. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord. And for those who did not repent, will be men of much sorrow.

[rmpmw]

Luke 23

Jesus Before Pilate

23 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”[a]

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[b] And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,[c] “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[d] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

44 It was now about the sixth hour,[e] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[f] 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[g] 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

[dfroza]

A pure sacrifice

(the Body and Blood of the eternal Word)

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 27th chapter of the book of Matthew:

Eventually the chief priests and the elders looked around and saw that it was morning. They convened a council meeting whose sole purpose was to hand down Jesus’ death sentence. They tied Jesus up, took Him away, and handed Him over to the governor of Judea, a man called Pilate.

Judas—the one who had betrayed Him with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver—saw that Jesus had been condemned, and suddenly Judas regretted what he had done. He took the silver back to the chief priests and elders and tried to return it to them.

Judas Iscariot: I can’t keep this money! I’ve sinned! I’ve betrayed an innocent man! His blood will be on my hands.

Chief Priests and Elders: We’re through with you, friend. The state of your soul is really none of our affair.

Judas threw down the money in the temple, went off, and hanged himself.

The chief priests looked at the silver coins and picked them up.

Chief Priests and Elders: You know, according to the law, we can’t put blood money in the temple treasury.

After some deliberation, they took the money and bought a plot of land called Potter’s Field; they would use it to bury foreigners, suicides, and others who were unfit for a full Jewish burial. (To this day, the field is called Blood Field, because it was bought with blood money.) And when the priests bought Potter’s Field, they unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy made long ago by the prophet Jeremiah: “They took 30 pieces of silver, the price set on the head of the man by the children of Israel, and they gave them for the Potter’s Field as the Eternal One instructed.”

Jesus was standing before the governor, Pilate.

Pilate: Are You the King of the Jews?

Jesus: So you say.

The chief priests and the elders stood and poured out their accusations: that Jesus was a traitor, a seditious rebel, a crazy, a would-be Savior, and a would-be king. Jesus stood in the stream of accusations, but He did not respond.

Pilate: Do You hear these accusations they are making against You?

Still Jesus said nothing, which Pilate found rather astounding—no protests, no defense, nothing.

Now the governor had a custom. During the great Jewish festival of Passover, he would allow the crowd to pick one of the condemned men, and he, Pilate, would set the man free. Just like that. Gratuitous, gracious freedom. At this time, they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate offered them a choice:

Pilate: Whom do you want me to free? Barabbas or Jesus, whom some call the Anointed One?

Pilate knew the chief priests and elders hated Jesus and had delivered Him up because they envied Him.

Then Pilate sat down on his judgment seat, and he received a message from his wife: “Distance yourself utterly from the proceedings against this righteous man. I have had a dream about Him, a dream full of twisted sufferings—He is innocent, I know it, and we should have nothing to do with Him.”

But the chief priests and the elders convinced the crowd to demand that Barabbas, not Jesus, whom-some-call-the-Anointed-One, be freed and that Jesus be put to death.

Pilate (standing before the crowd): Which of these men would you have me free?

Crowd (shouting): Barabbas!

Pilate: What would you have me do with this Jesus, whom some call the Anointed One?

Crowd (shouting): Crucify Him!

Pilate: Why? What crime has this man committed?

Crowd (responding with a shout): Crucify Him!

Pilate saw that unless he wanted a riot on his hands, he now had to bow to their wishes. So he took a pitcher of water, stood before the crowd, and washed his hands.

Pilate: You will see to this crucifixion, for this man’s blood will be upon you and not upon me. I wash myself of it.

Crowd: Indeed, let His blood be upon us—upon us and our children!

So Pilate released Barabbas, and he had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified.

The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into a great hall, gathered a great crowd, and stripped Jesus of His clothes, draping Him in a bold scarlet cloak, the kind that soldiers sometimes wore. They gathered some thorny vines, wove them into a crown, and perched that crown upon His head. They stuck a reed in His right hand, and then they knelt before Him, this inside-out, upside-down King. They mocked Him with catcalls.

Soldiers: Hail, the King of the Jews!

They spat on Him and whipped Him on the head with His scepter of reeds, and when they had their fill, they pulled off the bold scarlet cloak, dressed Him in His own simple clothes, and led Him off to be crucified.

As they were walking, they found a man called Simon of Cyrene and forced him to carry the cross. Eventually they came to a place called Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull.” There they gave Him a drink—wine mixed with bitter herbs. He tasted it but refused to drink it.

And so they had Him crucified. They divided the clothes off His back by drawing lots, and they sat on the ground and watched Him hang. They placed a sign over His head: “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.” And then they crucified two thieves next to Him, one at His right hand and one at His left hand.

Passersby shouted curses and blasphemies at Jesus. They wagged their heads at Him and hissed.

Passersby: You’re going to destroy the temple and then rebuild it in three days? Why don’t You start with saving Yourself? Come down from the cross if You can, if You’re God’s Son.

Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders (mocking Him): He saved others, but He can’t save Himself. If He’s really the King of Israel, then let Him climb down from the cross—then we’ll believe Him. He claimed communion with God—well, let God save Him, if He’s God’s beloved Son.

Even the thieves hanging to His right and left poured insults upon Him. And then, starting at noon, the entire land became dark. It was dark for three hours. In the middle of the dark afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.

Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani—My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Bystanders: He’s calling on Elijah.

One bystander grabbed a sponge, steeped it in vinegar, stuck it on a reed, and gave Jesus the vinegar to drink.

Others: We’ll see—we’ll see if Elijah is going to come and rescue Him.

And then Jesus cried out once more, loudly, and then He breathed His last breath. At that instant, the temple curtain was torn in half, from top to bottom. The earth shook; rocks split in two; tombs burst open, and bodies of many sleeping holy women and men were raised up. After Jesus’ resurrection, they came out of their tombs, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and showed themselves to people.

When the Centurion and soldiers who had been charged with guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw the rocks splitting and the tombs opening, they were, of course, terrified.

Soldiers: He really was God’s Son.

A number of women, who had been devoted to Jesus and followed Him from Galilee, were present, too, watching from a distance. Mary Magdalene was there, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

At evening time, a rich man from Arimathea arrived. His name was Joseph, and he had become a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked to be given Jesus’ body; Pilate assented and ordered his servants to turn Jesus’ body over to Joseph. So Joseph took the body, wrapped Jesus in a clean sheath of white linen, and laid Jesus in his own new tomb, which he had carved from a rock. Then he rolled a great stone in front of the tomb’s opening, and he went away. Mary Magdalene was there, and so was the other Mary. They sat across from the tomb, watching, remembering.

The next day, which is the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. They reminded him that when Jesus was alive He had claimed that He would be raised from the dead after three days.

Chief Priests and Pharisees: So please order someone to secure the tomb for at least three days. Otherwise His disciples might sneak in and steal His body away, and then claim that He has been raised from the dead. If that happens, then we would have been better off just leaving Him alive.

Pilate: You have a guard. Go and secure the grave.

So they went to the tomb, sealed the stone in its mouth, and left the guard to keep watch.

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 27 (The Voice)

Today’s paired reading from the First Testament is the 7th and closing chapter of the book of Micah:

Israel: I am filled with sadness, like one who, after the grapes have been gathered,

after all the summer fruit has been picked, can find nothing to eat,

Not a cluster of grapes, not even one of those early figs I love.

The faithful have disappeared from the land, and no one honest remains;

they are all alert for blood, hunting their neighbors with a net.

The hands of those who should know better are good at doing evil:

the ruler and the judge ask for bribes;

The people in power merely mention their deepest desires,

and the ruler and judge make sure they happen.

The best of them is as painful to deal with as a briar,

the most honest of them like a hedge heavy with thorns.

So the day your watchmen have awaited—

the day of your punishment—has come.

Now you will be confused and confounded.

Do not trust your neighbor or rely on a friend.

Do not tell your secrets even to the spouse who shares your bed,

For the son insults the father, the daughter rebels against the mother,

and the daughter-in-law rises up against the mother-in-law.

Your enemies can be found within your own household.

But as for me, I will look to the Eternal One, and my hope is in the True God

who will save me. My God will hear me.

Do not gloat at my fate, my enemy;

although I am down now, I will rise up.

Although I am in darkness now, the Eternal One will be my light.

I must bear His anger because I have sinned against Him

until He argues on my behalf and rights all my wrongs.

He will bring me out into the light,

and then I will see His saving justice.

When my enemy sees that God has rescued me,

then shame will wash over her

Because she sneered to me, “Where is the Eternal your God?”

It will be my turn to watch when she is trampled,

Walked on like mud in the street.

Israel, that will be the day for building your city walls;

that will be the day to expand your national boundaries.

In that day, people will come to you

from everywhere: from Assyria to cities in Egypt,

From Egypt to the Euphrates River,

from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain.

The earth will become a desert because those who live on it

will produce no fruit from their labors.

God, with Your shepherd’s staff lead Your people to pasture;

lead the flock that belongs to You

And grazes alone in the forest surrounded by garden lands.

Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as they used to do, long ago.

I will show you wonders

as you saw in the days when you came out of Egypt;

The nations will see and be ashamed, despite all their might.

With their hands over their mouths and ears they will hear nothing.

They will lick dust like the snakes of the earth crawling across the dirt.

They will creep out of their holes, shivering in terror because of You.

They turn to the Eternal, our True God, filled with dread,

and they stand in awe of You.

Is there any other God like You, who forgives evil

and passes over the transgressions done by Yours who remain?

He does not hold onto His anger forever

because He delights in showing love and kindness.

He will take pity on us again, will tread our wrongdoing underfoot.

He will cast all our sins down to the bottom of the sea.

Show Your faithfulness to Jacob and show Your faithful love to Abraham

As You swore to our ancestors in the days long ago.

The Book of Micah, Chapter 7 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, february 2 of 2024 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New) of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about the True nature of the commandments:

The first four of the Ten Commandments (עשרת הדברות) focus on our relationship with God, and it is only through obedience to these commandments that we are able to really understand our own identity - as well as the identity of others in our family, our community, and our world.

The Fifth Commandment, to honor your parents, bridges the commandments directed heavenward (bein adam la'makom) with those directed toward one's fellow man (bein adam le'chavero).

Honoring our parents teaches us the first principles of honoring God and others; it is the fulcrum by which we learn empathy and "derekh eretz" (דרך ארץ), that is, the basic respect that underlies courtesy and good manners. The importance of this commandment cannot be overstated, since the word translated "honor" (i.e., kabed: כבד) derives from a root word meaning "weighty" (in terms of impressiveness or importance) and is often used to refer to the glory of God.

The meaning of kabed in this context derives from the preceding verses (i.e., the first four commandments) which center on honoring God Himself. When we likewise honor our father and mother, the LORD says, “I reckon it as though I dwelled with them and they honored Me” (Kiddushin 31a).

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Exodus 20:12a reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/exod20-12a-j.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/exod20-12a-lesson.pdf

Exodus 20:12a verse with commentary:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/exod20-12a-jjp.mp3

More on the 5th Commandment:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Torah/Ten_Cmds/Fifth_Cmd/fifth_cmd.html

And another about trust and surrender:

"The sin underneath all our sins is to believe the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands" - Martin Luther

====

Sin is defined as the transgression of Torah (i.e., ἀνομία) in the Scriptures (1 John 3:4), and at root such rebellion comes from an unwillingness to trust that what God wants is your deepest happiness. Because of this, sin goes “out of bounds” and expresses itself as the desire to control one's life, to define "the good" (or the bad) on its own terms: to “eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17).

Surrender, on the other hand, gives up control and relies upon God's care. It relaxes because it accepts God's love as a gift and not as something to be earned. Meister Eckhart said it this way, "God is not attained by a process of addition to anything in the soul, but by a process of subtraction." In other words, we don't need to do anything to be free, though we must "get out of the way" for the Holy Spirit to do the work in us. "If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Set us free, O precious Lord!

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Proverbs 3:5-6 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/prov3-5-6-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/prov3-5-6-lesson.pdf

2.1.24 • Facebook

from yesterday’s email by Israel365:

While the formal commandments given by God are critically important, they’re not the entire picture. Rabbi Amital warns against strictly following commandments at the expense of being a good person. The placement of Jethro’s story reminds us not to let the technical aspects of the laws overshadow the core values of human kindness and moral sense. The structured and ritual parts of our faith are crucial, but they should work in harmony with a continuous effort to develop moral awareness and compassion, ensuring that kindness and morality are not overlooked.

Placing Jethro’s account before the significant event at Sinai teaches us about balancing formal divine laws with moral understanding. It confirms that true morality comes from combining God’s teachings with a sense of what’s right and wrong. And it demonstrates that all of humanity shares a framework of ethics and morality, even those who are not commanded to keep all 613 laws of the Torah.

As we go through life’s spiritual journey, Jethro’s story encourages us to blend the teachings of our faith with our inherent sense of justice and kindness, creating a life that’s both spiritually rich and morally grounded.

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

February 2, 2024

The First Sacrifice

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord GOD make coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)

This action by the Lord is very significant. God Himself apparently sacrificed some of His animal creation (possibly two innocent and blemish-free sheep) in order to provide clothing for the first man and woman. In the first place, this tells us that clothing is important in God’s plan for human beings; nudity became shameful once sin entered the world.

In the second place, we learn that symbolically speaking, clothing must be provided by God Himself. Man-made “aprons” of fig leaves will not suffice, as they represent human works of righteousness that can never make us presentable to God. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). However, God has sacrificed His own “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), pure and spotless, yet also willing to die for us. Thereby “he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10), fashioned from the perfect righteousness of the Lamb.

But in order to do this, the innocent blood of the sacrifice must be shed, for “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). When sin entered the world, there also came “death by sin” (Romans 5:12), and “without shedding of [innocent] blood is no remission [of sin]” (Hebrews 9:22).

We do not know how much of this could have been comprehended by Adam and Eve as they watched God slay their animal friends so that they once again could walk with God, but it changed their lives. Just so, when we really see “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19) spilled in sacrifice for our redemption, our lives also are forever changed. He hath covered me with the righteousness of Christ. HMM

[yoursoldoutforevermore]

Matthew 27:21-23 (Part 1 of 2)

Matthew 27:21-23 The crowds demand the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus (Part 1 of 2). ““Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”” The voice of the crowd is not always the voice of God. The mob did not answer Pilate’s request for evidence or proof when he asked, “What evil has He done?” They only continued to shout for Jesus’ death. They called…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. — Mark 15:1-15 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 20:19; Matthew 27:1; Matthew 27:11-12; Matthew 27:15; Mark 10:1; Luke 23:2,3 and 4; Luke 23:18-19; Luke 23:25; John 19:16; Acts 3:14; Acts 13:28

Read full chapter

Jesus before Pilate (Mark 15:1–15) — A Sermon by R.C. Sproul

[bluefive65]

Good Friday reading Luke 23

Jesus Before Pilate

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.

And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king."

And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so."

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man.

But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place."

Jesus Before Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.

The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.

And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.

And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him

Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.

I will therefore punish and release him."

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"--

a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder

Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,

but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!

A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him."

But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.

So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.

He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'

Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.'

For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine

and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

There was also an inscription over him,

"This is the King of the Jews.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

The Death of Jesus

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,

while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.

Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying,

"Certainly this man was innocent!"

And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,

who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.

This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.

It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.

Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

[twiggy-in-pink]

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

Luke 23:18-25

[xgenesisrei]

The Original Trip to Jerusalem

It often escapes our notice that the crowd on Palm Sunday is not the same crowd that was gathered on the day of Good Friday. This is an important point to consider lest we perpetuate the mistaken notion so popularly retold every Holy Week that we have a rather fickle crowd who explodes in exuberant praise one day and in the next days transformed itself into a mob crying for blood and jeering on Jesus to be executed. But no, a closer exegesis of the relevant passages would reveal that such is not the case here.

We have to note that the people who barraged the gates of Jerusalem and shouted “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38) were the pretty large crowd from the underside of Galilee who followed Jesus all the way to Jericho (see Mark 10:46), and now “went ahead of him” to enter Jerusalem (Matthew 19:21). They are the crowd from the countryside, the poor, the peasants, etc., who have accepted Jesus’ message, who He claims to be, and on a separate occasion were very much ready to make Him king (see John 6:14-15).* 

They saw Jesus as coming from their own ranks, the nobody from Bethlehem who dared defy the powers that be and announced the coming of a new order. 

In Jesus, they saw a glimpse of hope and of the much awaited freedom they can only utter in their dreams.

But the crowd that shouted “Crucify Him!” on the dawn of Jesus’ final trial was totally a different set of people. Luke 19:39 alerts us that the Pharisees were among them, pointing us to the direction that the people comprising this crowd were the inhabitants of the district city capital -the benefactors and beneficiaries of the status quo forged by the Sadducees with the Romans, including the rest of the Herodians among the elite and the people holding the power in Jewish society. They were the ones who would lose a whole lot should the ragtag bunch of Galileans create another uprising against the Romans. “Don’t you realize that it is better for you to have one man die for the people, instead of having the whole nation destroyed?” says Caiaphas, the high priest (John 11:50). In other words, for these people, Jesus has to die so as to keep things in order and ensure the security of their prestigious and powerful positions.

For sure, Jesus had his own plan independent of what these group of crowds have in mind. One wanted to make Him king, the other wanted him killed. But in the course of executing God’s project of redemption, Jesus fell into the trappings of a corrupt system, found himself tried illegally by a corrupt Jewish court, and came face-to-face by a crowd vigilant to protect the established order. He ended up being handed over to die a criminal’s death by a spineless Roman governor who himself is protective of his own appointment from Caesar.

If so, we have to note that Jesus was put to death (not only for the sins of the world but) because and through the instrumentation of systemic corruption so deeply entrenched in the institutions of his time, both political and religious. In a shameless connivance, they committed a most unjust ruling against a perceived enemy of the state. 

Jesus was a victim of the ‘system’  that keeps those at the periphery away from where political decisions concerning them were made. 

He was killed by people who wanted to perpetuate the order of things and prevailing allocations of power. This is a system that in benefiting a few has failed the poorer majority. This is an order that, at any given moment, would rather choose a Barabbas over a person who voices out the need for radical ‘change.’

Lest we got distracted by the devil in the details, let us be reminded that the bigger confrontation of the first Palm Sunday is between those who want to perpetuate the ‘system’ by protecting the structures of power and those who hope in seeing the existing order change for the better. Jesus has already died to renew the world, there is no more reason why we cannot say that things need to stay the same. On such a question, to which crowd will you belong?

-Rei Lemuel Crizaldo (Palm Sunday 2023)

*Note: This is the same line of exegesis made by RT France in “The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text” (p. 429-430) and also argued by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Justin Taylor, to quote “Don’t say the same crowds worshiped Jesus on Palm Sunday and then cried out for his crucifixion on Good Friday.”

And for a contemporary visual commentary on the Palm Sunday story, see artwork below entitled ‘Linggo ng Palaspas’ from Sining ni Sid.

[riverdamien]

Feet to Fire!

Feet to the Fire!

The Fifth Station

“Pilate Condemns Jesus to the Cross

Leader: We adore you O Christ, and we praise you.   

All:  Because by your Holy Cross you have saved all of creation.

                                                                       15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

“6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do[a] with the man you call[b] the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified” Mark 15: 1, 6-15..

Dietrich Bonhoeffer critiques unconditional forgiveness in his book, The Cost of Discipleship as “cheap grace” and tells us, “cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism with out church discipline, communion without confession, and forgiveness without absolution.

Forgiving someone without requiring repentance in action, allows them to continue their abusive behavior and allows continued suffering.”

As we see Jesus condemned, and our condemning by cheap grace let a remember the words of St. Oscar Romero: “There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.”

Leader: Lord, may we looking at the cross hear the voice of Jesus calling us to turn our eyes to the sidewalks, the alleys, and street corners, and see your children, and our brothers and sisters. Amen.

                                                                                All: Jesus said: “If anyone wants to become my follower let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me!”

Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35

In Daniel , we see Daniel in the furnace, and Azariah prays from a furnace which would make some of us self-obsessed. With no human rituals left, he asks for the balm of God's mercy. He focuses on God's wonders--and when he is delivered (3:52-90), Azariah sings praise to stars, snow, clouds, hills, rivers, birds, even "fire and heat"(66). What could destroy, instead transforms.

When we look at the homeless, drug addicted, mentally ill, the young and old on our streets and are haunted!

It is time that we lift our heads and look around us at the trees, hear the sounds of babies, and people, and see in them the beauty of God's creation, and turn our eyes to the street, and be a transforming agent. or as Oscar Romero tells us: “There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.”

Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

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 Fr. River Damien Sims sfw, D.Min, D.S.T,

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

415-305-2124

The Twenty Second Annual Stations of the Cross

"Our Haunting!"

April 7, 2023

Civic Center

Noon-2 p.m.

Food Provided By:

AUNT BARBARA’S KITCHEN

GOOD FRIDAY IRISH SODA BREAD BLITZ ON POLK STREET

in alliance with Fr. River Damien Sims of Temenos

https://www.temenos.org/

Please help support a Good Friday initiative. Fr. River Sims aims to serve 200 folks with Irish Soda

Bread, the food that supported many Irish during hard times. It’s in the spirit of community and

nurturing.

There’s a legend that when a cross is made in each loaf before baking, all the good fairies are released. We like to believe in that.

$15/loaf payable through www.temenos.org , pay pal, or Aunt Barbara’s Kitchen/Temenos Catholic Worker, P.O. Box 642656, San Francisco, CA 94164

Aunt Barbara’s Kitchen is a Cottage Food Operation from a home kitchen in Marin County.

The business started with $10 and Aunt Barbara’s great grandfather iron skillet with the intention to build

a business model that feeds the hungry and revenue that goes to youth in college. The owner volunteers

her time to this endeavor and takes no revenue for herself, at this time. She hopes to reshape the model

of what businesses can create for communities, especially our youth, to cultivate and showcase the

power of human investment. 415 717 0151 https://barbaramcveigh.com/aunt-barbaras-kitchen/

[dflealstuff]

Dark Hour

“And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Mark 15:12–15 ESV) Are…

[riszellira]

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

Reflection: Muted by Noise

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus situated in the area of Tyre and Sidon and in the Decapolis. In the Scriptures, Tyre and Sidon is considered a place of unbelievers, of those who do not believe in God. The Decapolis literally means ten cities. Being cities, these must be busy places of interaction and commerce.

A man was brought to Jesus for healing. The man could neither speak nor hear. He was deaf and mute. This was a real miracle that Jesus performed.

Miracles are signs that Jesus is the promised Messiah. But one cannot miss the blessed “coincidence” that the healing of a deaf and mute man happened in Tyre and Sidon within the area of the Decapolis. This makes the healing not simply a factual narrative but a metaphor as well for modern man and woman.

Being a place of unbelievers, Tyre and Sidon is easily a code for a place where God’s Word is not uttered and His voice is not heard. Where God’s Word is not proclaimed, people are mute. Where God’s Word is not uttered, we are simply babbling and our words amount to nothing.

Where God’s voice is not heard, like in “ten cities,” people are as good as deaf. In a noisy city, what we hear are simply a cacophony of sounds that bounce through our eardrums.

Now we understand why Jesus took the deaf “away from the crowd.” Healing can only happen when one distances himself from the crowd. In the Bible, “crowd” is also a code. It was the “crowd” that shouted, “We want Barabbas!” (see John 18:40). It was also the crowd that shouted, “Crucify him!” (see Luke 23:21).

“Crowd” is a code where God is not proclaimed, heard, or honored. “Crowd” is a code for a place where Jesus is simply one among the many who are drowned out by the crowd.

Do you belong to the crowd? Are you always blending in with the “crowd?” Perhaps it is high time to go against the crowd. And maybe, just maybe, you will be able to speak about Jesus and hear Him more clearly.

~Fr. Joel O. Jason

Are you a resident of “Tyre and Sidon?” Are you part of the crowd that lives in the “Decapolis?”

May I hear Your voice, O Lord, in the still small voice. Amen.

Prayer

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the strength and healing of the sick.

… for the healing and peace of all families.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

GOD BLESS!