Camped under the blankets with a single flashlight to illuminate the world hidden inside. All of the troubles and scares of the night that once frightened have all but disappeared. When you walk in that light the frightfulness of the night subsides. Walk in the light while it is there (John 12: 35 KJV).
We last left off with Jesus shining brightly in the town of Bethany. The peddlers of rumors had carried the whispers of the great event to the chief leaders. The madness that set in was causing them to justify a simple act to preserve their way of life... or at least their country. The command had gone out on the main lines that if anyone knew where the light bearer resided, it was their duty to inform on him (John 11: 57 KJV).
The blanket slipped from the head and fell down gently resting on the lap of the child warming up to the night. The light was muffled through the blanket but still gave enough brightness to chase the shadows away. Fear was being tapped back into the closet from where it permeated. Wielding the flashlight from under the blanket, it became a saber that extinguished any remaining trepidations that fought the mind this night. Victory was afoot!
Reminding His disciples one last time before the night settled in, Jesus assured them that he was the keeper of the light and those who believed in Him would not be of the darkness (John 12: 45-46 KJV). And as he sat and enjoyed His last meal with the twelve, he told them that he knew them all, even the one that was to betray Him. Knowing His time was short and the recent trafficking of events, He came to Judas Iscariot and handed him a slice of bread dipped in wine. Then told him to move quickly to get it done (John 13: 26-27 KJV).
Moving with haste Judas ran to the temple to barter over his beloved master. Knowing the routine of Jesus made it easy for the false disciple to turn him over. It was a small garden just on the other side of the brook. With a few temple guards and other fan fare, they made their way to the garden of gethsemane where Jesus would be waiting. Binding Him and beating Him the guard ushered the Lord back to the chief priests and Pharisees (John 18: 3, 12 KJV). They had to move quickly because Passover was upon them and then the Sabbath.
Wasting no time, Jesus was paraded around from Pilate, to Herod, back to Pilate and final judgment was passed. The vile sneers that came from the mob were anything but civil. Their reckless abandonment of rational thought had leapt into the sea long ago and they were calling for the crucifixion of the Lord at all costs. Not wanting to cause a riot, Pilate yielded to the Jews demand (Luke 23: 20, 21, 24 KJV).
Battered and torn, the sacrificial Lamb carried his cross to the hillside and embraced the reason He had come. The Cross was His passion and in a final attempt to extinguish the light of man, the soldiers bound Jesus to it and displayed Him high for all to see. Then with a few final breaths Jesus uttered: “It is finished” and He gave up the Ghost (John 19: 30 KJV). Matthew shared some interesting facts as the light of man was doused.
When Jesus gave up the ghost, the veil in the temple tore in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and cracked open both rocks and graves. Then the Son of God was laid in a tomb for three days. But on Resurrection Sunday when He burst forth from the grave a host of saints followed Him and appeared to many in the holy city. The light of man had reappeared triumphantly (Matthew 27: 50-55 KJV)!
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. This letter follows the lurking madness. It draws light to the One who gave everything for us. As Pentecost approaches I hope this helps in illuminating a bit of what Jesus did. I can see so clearly the child in the room, the darkness, the flashlight, and the battle between fear and contentment. May your days be merry and bright!
John 11: 57 KJV “Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.”
John 12: 35-36 KJV “Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.’”
John 12: 45-46 KJV “And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me, I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
John 13: 26-27 KJV “Jesus answered, ‘He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.’ And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, ‘That thou doest, do quickly.’”
John 18: 3 KJV “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.”
John 18: 12 KJV “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him.”
Luke 23: 20, 21, 24 KJV “Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, crucify him, crucify him... And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.”
John 19: 30 KJV “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished;’ and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.”
Matthew 27: 50- 55 KJV “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of t he temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Now many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him...”
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