Clay in the Hands

That Friday, Jesus endured watching his closest friends and followers run and hide as he was led away by the soldiers.  He was paraded before the religious leaders and then back and forth between rulers, no one wanting to make a decision.  Finally, he was placed before a crowd of people, many of which were most likely along the road as he entered the city to the shouts of “Hosanna” just a few days before.

Given the choice between Jesus and Barabas (a known criminal), the voices rallied to release Barrabas.  So Jesus was sentenced to endure a beating and then to be crucified.  He was tortured, nearly to the point of death.  Then he was made to carry a cross through the city to a hill just outside the city gates where he was nailed to it to die.

We walk this road today listening to the jeers of the people, the shouting of the soldiers and the groaning of our savior.  Stay with him all the way to the end.

For you see, the reason Jesus endured all of the pain, abandonment and then death, was to pay the price of our sin.  It was our sin that put him there.  It was our selfishness and rebellion from God that made his sacrifice necessary.  Scripture says that even though he did not know sin, he became sin for you and for me.

Don’t turn away.

And just when you think you can’t take any more, remember – Sunday is coming.  The cross event has meaning and power because of an empty tomb!

Stay with him.