GOOD FRIDAY - A - 20 THE PASSION ACCORDING TO
For a second time in a week, we hear and or read the Passion of Christ. Today, we are presented with
John’s Jesus, for example, is always in control. He knows his destiny and he willingly goes to the cross. So why tell the story again? We know it all too well. We know how it begins and we know how it ends. Sometimes the more familiar the story the less the meaning becomes. We need to hear it again.
Following the last supper, and Judas’ departure, Jesus leads his disciples from the upper room in
It was a place, then, known to Judas who easily finds his way there in the dark with those he has brought to arrest Jesus. In the darkness Christ is betrayed, arrested, and abandoned. From the garden, he is taken before Annas, the former high priest and questioned about his disciples and his teaching. Then he is sent to Caiaphas for more questioning.
Peter and one other disciple, presumably John, followed and entered the courtyard of the high priest. Here, Peter denied Jesus three times as Christ predicted. According to John, the chief priests had already decided that Jesus must die. Therefore, they send him to Pilate wishing the Roman Governor to carry out their desire to have Jesus put to death. According to Roman law, they could not do it themselves.
A dialogue ensues between Jesus and Pilate. Pilate seems to be interested in Jesus and wants to know more about him. He questions Jesus from a purely political standpoint. “Are you the king of the Jews? “ Jesus answers that he is but that his kingdom is not one that would threaten Pilate.
Pilate is satisfied, finds no crime in him deserving death, and seeks to release him. The Jews would have it otherwise. As per the tradition of the day, which allows for the release of one prisoner, the crowd, spurred on by the chief priests, ask for a common robber to be freed instead of Jesus.
Pilate accepts their decision and has Jesus scourged. The soldiers mock him as a king placing a crown of thorns upon his head and robbing him in purple. Pilate again brings him before the crowd and seeks to release him. “Behold the Man “ The people will have none of it and shout, “Crucify him!” One last time Pilate tries to have Jesus set free.
This time the people change the charge from a religious one to a political one, the one Pilate fears the most. “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar.”
Pilate speaks to the crowd “Shall I crucify your king?“ The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” With that, Pilate gives in to their demand to have Jesus crucified.
Jesus goes out bearing his own cross to the place called the skull. There he is crucified between two thieves. A placard is placed above his head that reads: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The chief priests protest. To their chagrin, the title remains for all who pass by to read.
Jesus may have been abandoned in the garden, and denied by Peter, but he does not die alone. John has his mother and two other women besides himself present at the foot of the cross. Jesus knowing that the beloved disciple,
The Church calls this day “Good.” It is good for in Christ’ death Jesus fulfills God the Father’s plan for the redemption and salvation of all mankind; those who accept him, as well as those who reject him.
For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to redeem it. The redemption of the world was carried out on the hardwood of the cross. That makes this day a good day for all.
Our Lenten journey has brought us to the foot of the cross. Here we come before the crucified Jesus whose arms are outstretched to receive us with the love and forgiveness that only God can give.
He who forgave from the cross forgives all who ask for forgiveness and who in turn forgive others in His name.
Of the four gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ,
Matthew and Mark’s crucified Jesus cries out from the cross as though God had somehow abandoned him to his fate. While St. Luke has the dying Jesus crying out to the Father as well as he surrenders his spirit.
The image of Jesus as Christus Rex is one in which He wears a crown and is robbed in priestly vestments, the faithful kneeling in adoration at his feet. He is the King of Glory and in him, we have the means of grace and the hope of new life.
As we await the Day of Resurrection let us prayerfully contemplate the price Christ paid for our redemption and let us give Thanks to God the Father for the loving sacrifice of His beloved Son who promised that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.” (Heb. X.23) For all the promises of God find their yes in Jesus. AMEN+
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