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It’s Friday, the last day of Jesus’ life on earth. In the middle of the night Roman guards and
Jewish leaders arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. Judas, His disciple, betrays Him – the ultimate treachery. Satan is doing everything in his power to stop God’s work and kill God’s Messiah.

Peter will have none of it! He draws his sword and cuts off Malchus’ ear. Jesus responds, “Put
your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” Jesus is in control!

Jesus is taken to Annas, the former high priest, for an informal trial. The Jewish leadership
wants a quick and quiet trial (they do not want a riot – some of the Jewish pilgrims like Jesus). Jesus
refuses to speak so Annas sends Him to his son-in-law Caiaphas, the current High Priest. (It was
Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people).

False witnesses accuse Him saying, “Destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up again.” Jesus again says nothing. He has nothing to hide, no private agenda lurks behind His public teaching, and His previous words and actions prove His innocence. Finally, Caiaphas challenges Jesus. “I urge you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and
coming on the clouds of heaven.” Upon hearing this Caiaphas tears his robes and says, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need?”

Daniel 7:13-14 and Psalm 110:1-2 make it clear Jesus refers to Himself as the divine Son of Man, seated at God’s right hand, who will return to establish His eternal kingdom. The Jewish leaders pronounce a formal verdict: Jesus is guilty. They immediately take Jesus to Pontius Pilate – only the Romans have the authority to execute Him.

While the “Jewish trial” is ongoing both Judas (who betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver) and
Peter (who denied Him 3 times) feel remorse for their actions. Judas refuses to seek God and ends his life. Peter, unlike Judas, will later humble himself and receive God’s forgiveness (John 21).

The Jewish leaders take Jesus to Pilate, the governor of Judea. They declare to Pilate that Jesus
is guilty of misleading the nation, not paying tribute to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be a King. Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king. Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.” Pilate is not sure what to do with Jesus, but hearing that He is from Galilee, he sends Him to Herod Antipas (whose palace is a short distance away). Herod is excited to see Jesus because he is aware of His miracles and wanted to see one. Jesus not only did not perform but did not say a word to Herod. Herod and his guards mock Jesus and send Him back to Pilate.

Pilate decides to deal with Jesus by following the custom of offering one prisoner amnesty
during Passover. He presents Jesus alongside Barabbus, a murderer, hoping to set Jesus free. However, the Jewish religious leaders have persuaded the crowd to choose to set Barabbus free. During this time Pilate’s wife has troubling dreams about Jesus and tells her husband to have nothing to do with Him. (Pilate took dreams and visions very seriously – he believed in the gods). Pilate tries to appease the crowd by having Jesus beaten, but the crowd demands that Jesus be crucified. Pilate asked why Jesus should be crucified and the religious leaders say, “This man says that he is the Son of God.” This troubles Pilate even more and he asks Jesus where He is from. Jesus refuses to answer, so Pilate demands an answer based on his authority. Jesus declares, “You would have no authority except that which if given you from above.” From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cry out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” Pilate wants to appease the crowd and keep the peace, so he hands Jesus over to be crucified. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover: the sixth hour (The Passover lambs are being sacrificed).

Jesus is nailed to a cross with a board attached to it declaring in Aramaic, Latin and Greek “Jesus
of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” He is being crucified for being a revolutionary and insurrectionist. They have no idea that He truly is the KING of the World. Placed between Him are two criminals. One hears Jesus say, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” and says to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus says to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Salvation has come! Jesus has taken the sins of the world upon Himself which is why He says:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Psalm 22: 1] When Jesus dies the curtain of the temple separating the Holy of Holies rips from top to bottom. It is 60’ x 30’. Now all people can be in the presence of God anywhere, anytime (not just the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement). Jesus dies at approximately 3 PM – the Lamb of God has died for the sins of the world.