From “Jesús’ Journey to the Cross” by Dr Greg Baxter
There are 71 separate descriptions of the events leading up to the death and burial of Jesus Christ. The gospel writes used three movements to record the day our Savior died for the sins of the world; the trials, the crucifixion, and the burial of our Savior.
The day started after midnight on Friday 3 April, 33 with the first of several trials. A preliminary Hearing Before Annas (John 18:13-14, John 18:19-24) then Peter’s first denial (Matt 26:69-70; Mark 14:54, Mark 66-68; Luke 22:54-57; John 18:15-18). They then took Him before Caiaphas (Matt 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, Luke 22:63-65; John 18:24) and Peter denied our Lord the second time (Matt 26:71-72; Mark 14:69-70a; Luke 22:58; John 18:25). Finally Jesus is taken before the entire Sanhedrin and is sentenced to death (Matt 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71). Immediately thereafter Peter dies the Lord the final time, the rooster crows and he goes out and weeps bitterly (Matt 26:73-75; Mark 14:70-72; Luke 22:59-62; John 18:26-27).
Jesus is then taken to before Pilate (Matt 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28-38) while outside the city Judas, full of remorse, kills himself (Matt 27:3-10). Jesus does not answer Pilate’s questions (Matt 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:2-5; John 18:28-38) and he sends Him to Herod when he learns that Jesus is a Galilean since Galilee was part of Herod’s jurisdiction Herod sends Jesus back after mocking and beating Him (Luke 23:6-12). Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent (Luke 23:13-16) offering the people a choice between sparing the life of Jesus or Barabbas. The crowd cries out for Jesus to die and Barabbas to live (Matt 27:15-23; Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39-40). Pilate’s wife is terribly afraid for her husband and his decision to condemn Jesus (Matt 27:19) and Barabbas is released (Matt 27:24-26).
The second movement is Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus is condemned and sentenced to death (Matt. 27:24). He is stripped, beaten, and mocked, then led away for execution (Matt 27:24-26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24-25; John 19:16). His cross has the title ‘Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews (Matt 27:28-31a; Mark 15:17-20a; John 19:1-15) and the soldiers mock Him mercilessly (Matt 27:27-31a; Mark 15:16-20a; John 19:2-3). The journey to the place of the skull, Golgotha beings (Matt 27:31-32; Mark 15:20-21; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:17a). Simon of Cyrene Carries our Lord’s Cross when he stumbled (Matt 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:2). Many people followed the condemned (Luke 23:27-32) and they arrived at the place of execution( Arrival at Golgotha Matt 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33a; John 19:17b).
Jesus is crucified at 9am (Matt 27:35a; Mark 15:24-25; Luke 23:33b; John 19:18a) rejecting wine and myrrh (Matt 27:34; Mark 15:23) between two thieves (Matt 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33b; John 19:18b). He utters the first of seven sayings “Father Forgive Them…” (Luke 23:34a). His clothes are divided (Matt 27:35b; Mark 15:24b; Luke 23:34b; John 19:23-24) and the guards posted the charges that Jesus died claiming He was the King of the Jews (Matt 27:36-37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19-20). The religious leaders are furious (John 19:21-22) as the crowd (crowds Matt 27:39-40; Mark 15:29-30; Luke 23:35) and they (Matt 27:41-43; Mark 15:31-32a; Luke 23:35) mock our Lord along with the soldier (Luke 23:36-37). Jesus is offered wind and vinegar (Luke 23:36) while the criminals mock Him as well (Matt 27:44; Mark 15:32b; Luke 23:39). One thief repents and the Lord promises (second saying) that he will be in paradise with Him (Luke 23:40-42-43). Jesus (3) designates His mother’s provision (John 19:25-27) and darkness covers the land from 12 to 3pm (Matt 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-45a). In agony Christ’s cries out for the fourth and fifth time (4)”My God My God…” 3pm (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34) and (5)”I am Thirsty” (John 19:28). The crowd reacts (Matt 27:47; Mark 34:35) and He is again offered a narcotic for the pain (Matt 27:48; Mark 15:36a; John 19:29). The crowd is looking to see if Elijah will save Him (Matt 27:49; Mark 15:36b) while He receives the wine and vinegar (John 19:30a). Jesus cries out (Matt 27:50a; Mark 15:37a; Luke 23:46a) with (6)”Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23:46b) and finally (7)”It is finished” (John 19:30b).
Jesus Dies for the sins of the entire world (Matt 27:50b; Mark 15:37b; Luke 23:46c; John 19:30c), the Temple curtain is torn (Matt 27:51a; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45b), an earthquake shakes the city (Matt 27:51b). the dead are resurrected (Matt 27:52-53). And the centurion laments the Savior’s death (Matt 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47-48). The Jews want the bodies down due to Sabbath regulations (John 19:31) so the soldiers break the legs of the criminals (John 19:32) but only pierce the side of Jesus with his spear (John 19:33-34) as the witnesses watch (Matt 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 23:49; John 19:35-37).
Jesus is taken down from the cross and Joseph of Arimathea requests His body (Matt 27:57-58a; Mark 15:42-43; Luke 23:50-52; John 19:38a). Pilate is surprised at Jesus’ quick death (Mark 15:44-45a) but released His body to Joseph of Arimathea for burial (Matt 27:58b; Mark 15:45b; John 19:38b). He buys linen cloth (Mark 15:46a) while Nicodemus brings 75LBs of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). Joseph removes Jesus’ body from the cross (Mark 15:46b; Luke 23:53a) and His body is wrapped in linen cloth and spices (Matt 27:59; Mark 15:46c; Luke 23:53b; John 19:40). Nicodemus and Joseph place Jesus in the Tomb (Matt 27:60a; Mark 15:46d; Luke 23:53c; John 19:41-42). The women witnessed Jesus’ body laid in the tomb (Matt 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). A stone is rolled in front of the entrance (Matt 27:60b; Mark 15:46e) and Joseph of Arimathea leaves (Matt 27:60c) along with the women to prepare the spices (Luke 23:56a).
The cross answers the four greatest questions;
1. What is evil? – sin is real and only the cross of Christ reveals its horror, devastation and grip it has on every human being and the entire creation.
2. What is justice? – God publicly displayed Christ on the cross at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate the righteousness of God and allow God to be just and the justifier of anyone who trust Christ as their savior.
3. What is love? – The most profound expression of love ever demonstrated was the cross; here is love, not that we love God but that he loved us and gave Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
4. What is forgiveness? – The cross is the greatest display of unconditional forgiveness the world has ever witnessed. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness from sin.
Lord,
As I kneel before your cross I see the horribleness of my sins,
My transgressions have made you a curse,
Show me my guilt by your crown of thorns, wounds of hand and feet, your bruised body and cries of agony,
Your blood covers my sins, and makes me alive breaking my bonds of captivity to the flesh, the devil, and pride of life,
You rescued me by bearing my stripes and conquered death, hell, and the grave that I may have eternal life.
In Jesus name. Amen.