“Father, Into Your hands, I Commend My Spirit!” Luke 23:46

Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Jesus' tomb the last 4 Stations of the Cross

Today is Good Friday, a most solemn day for all Christianity! We know that Jesus and His disciples gathered for the Passover supper last night on Holy Thursday. When supper had ended, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives forecasting Peter’s 3 denials of Him though Peter protested.

St. Peter Gallicantu Church - the Steeple has a Rooster as a Reminder of His Denials of Jesus. Also, the site of Caiphas' house (the high priest).

Although I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 28: 35) The apostles all agreed. But we know that before the rooster crowed this morning, Peter did deny Jesus 3 times.

Jesus continued to “a place called Gethsemani” (Mark 28: 36) where he asked them to wait while he went to pray. Aware of what was to befall Him, He asked, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Still, let it be as you would have it, not as I”. (Mark 28: 39) He returned to find the disciples asleep, twice. The third time, He said, “Sleep on now. Enjoy your rest! The hour is on us when the Son of Man is to be handed over to the power of evil men. Get up! Let us be on our way. See, my betrayer is here”. (Mark 28: 45-46)

2000 year old tree in Gethsemane

We know that Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver. With the word “Rabbi”, Judas greeted Jesus and this was a signal to the crowd of Jesus’ identity. Jesus was then led to the house of Caiphas, the high priest. False charges were presented against Him and at daybreak, “all the chief priests and elders took action against Him”. Judas realizing what he had done, flung the silver down on the temple floors and later hung himself. (Mark 27: 1 -2)

As Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, it was the custom that for the Passover celebration, the “procurator” could release one prisoner. When

Pilate offered the crowd Jesus or Barrabas, they demanded Barrabas be freed and Jesus be crucified. At which point, Pilate asked for water and washed his hands “declaring that ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just man. The responsibility is yours.’” (Matthew 27: 24 ) After He was scourged, Jesus was handed over to the crowd. The soldiers mocked Him.

They met a Cyrenian by the name of Simon. They forced him to help carry the cross. They reached Golgotha which means “Skull Place”. After He was

Sisters carry the cross on the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows

crucified, his clothes were divided among the soldiers who were keeping guard. At noon, a darkness covered the land. In the middle of the afternoon, “Jesus cried out in a loud tone, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani!’, that is, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 27: 45-46) “Suddenly the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, boulders split, tomb opened.” …”Clearly this was the Son of God!” (Mark 27: 51-54)

“When evening fell, a wealthy man from Arimathea arrived, Joseph, by name. He was another of Jesus’ disciples, and had gone to request the

body of Jesus. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb which had been hewn from a formation of rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. But Mary, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” (Mark 27: 57-51)

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