He walked peacefully to the top of the hill although the pain from the thorns was almost unbearable. They
stripped off his only clothes and gambled them away. Naked and cold, he was still submissive to the one who
sent him.
What emotion stirred within this great man; fear, anxiety, peace?
He knew what was going to happen, but he did not try to run. They gave him wine mixed with bile. He did
not drink it. Already betrayed by friends, He was beaten and tired. The sun turned away as if not to watch the
horror. Wasn’t this enough? This Son of God, who came from humble surroundings, must any more happen
to Him? He knew it had to be done.
The sky grew dark but the wind was silent. The tumult of thunder stilled the other sounds of nature, but there
was no rain. “BANG, BANG, BANG” the hammer rang out. Nails were pounded through hands and feet to
hold the King of Kings. A startled flock of doves flew off, signaling the beginning of the end.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And Jesus breathed his last breath. It took only one for the
fall of man, so only one brings salvation to man. A sword pierced his side and death was proven.
Stunned men and sobbing women gathered at His feet praying for an end to the anguish. Doubt arose among
the mourners seeking answers. Nine hours after the nails first broke the skin, He went limp. It was the darkest
part of the day. Everyone knew He was gone.
His followers gently wrapped him so He could rest in dignity. A cave was to be his final home. A hefty stone
was rolled in front of the entrance so no one would have access to the body.
For three days the mood of the town was mixed. Some people were full of grief, feeling displaced, unable to
cope with this huge loss. Others were ecstatic, thinking they were right and that the man in the tomb was just
that, a man.
The morning of the third day broke bright and sunny. The two Mary’s were on their way to pay respect, when
the ground suddenly shuddered. Dumbfounded and full of fear, the two guards lay on the ground. The stone
had been rolled to the side of the entrance.
A beautiful angel brightened the sky. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
He calmed the women’s grief with comforting words. “He is alive!” Joy quickly spread with the knowledge
that Jesus had raised from the dead. What were the thoughts of the foolish unbelievers then?
He is still alive today, waiting for an invitation into your heart.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of
Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” Then
they remembered his words.” Luke 24:6-8 NIV
