No series looking at the events surrounding Calvary would be complete unless we discussed Christ. Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing it was to be His last visit. The Jerusalem crowd surrounded Him and praised Him. Before sitting down to the last supper, Jesus girded His waist with a towel and He washed the feet of His disciples.
Jesus then prayed three times to the Father (Matthew 26:36-44). Finishing His prayers, Jesus was then betrayed. He did not run from those who would kill Him. Meeting Judas, Jesus was kissed on the cheek and was taken by lawless hands (Matthew 27:47-50). First tried by the Sanhedrin, false witnesses were brought forth. Being found guilty in this “trial,” He was led to Pilate. Pilate declared, “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4). After being sent to Herod, Jesus again stood before Pilate. The crowd cries out for His blood. Minutes later, Jesus walked toward Calvary.
Reaching the hill of Calvary, He was nailed to the cross. We will never know the pain that was endured. Each breath was a breath of pain, until the very last. His deep relationship with the Father was severed with the cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Very shortly afterwards, the Son of God died.
Many visit a tomb site in Jerusalem every year. However, the attraction of this grave is not the dead, but the living. On the third day, that same grave was empty. The angel said, “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6).
Kyle Campbell
