Experience Easter Part 5

Today is a day of immense sorrow and injustice, as the perfect Son of God is treated unfairly and brutally murdered. While you were sleeping last night, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested and tried against the law.

Today's reading:

• Christ’s final prediction of His death and resurrection (Matthew 26:31-35)
• Christ’s great high priestly prayer (John. 17:1-26):
• En route to Gethsemane (Luke 22:35-38)
• In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-56)

• Christ’s Unfair Trials

1. The Jewish religious trials
A. Christ stands before Annas (Jn. 18:13-14, 19-23)
B. Christ stands before Caiaphas (Mt. 26:57, 59-68)
C. Christ stands before the entire Sanhedrin (Mt. 27:1)

(two-fold tragedy during those trials)
(1) The denials by Peter (Mt. 26:33-35, 69-73, 75)
(2) The death of Judas (Mt. 27:3-10)

2. The Roman political trials
A. Christ stands before Pilate—for the first time—(Mt. 27:2, 11, 12-14)
B. Christ stands before Herod Antipas (Lk. 23:6-12)
C. Christ stands before Pilate—for the final time—(Mt. 27:15-26)

3. The military mockery trial
A. Christ stands before the soldiers (Mt. 27:27-31)

• Crucifixion - approx. 9am-3pm (Mt. 27:32-56)
• Burial - evening (Mt. 27:57-61)

This day in history bears so much weight on historical Christianity and all that was accomplished for us in the crucifixion of the perfect Son of God. In the sorrow of today, we know from Scripture that none of these things matter apart from what we will celebrate on Sunday. Don't lose site of the true meaning of this time of year and pray that the Lord would give you the ability to truly celebrate all that he has done for us. Praying that the Lord would give us opportunity to tell others why we celebrate Easter.