HIS ALIVE ... JESUS IS ALIVE

Mary the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene and Salome bought spices and sat together preparing the spices.  It was very early when Mary Magdalene went into the kitchen and put everything together while she was putting the spices on the table, the other Mary and Salome can into the kitchen too.  ‘How did you sleep?’ Salome asked as she sat down on a chair near the table.  Looking at her both Mary’s said ‘Not at all’.  Picking up the dish with the spices the three women walked through the door and down the street toward the place where Jesus was buried. 

On their way to the grave they experienced a violent earthquake.  An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him they shook and became like dead men.

The three women, Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Salome saw the Angel of the Lord and stood before him like pillars of salt.  

‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.’

Running into the tomb they stood in front of the place where Jesus it was empty.

Bewildered and astonished the woman left the tomb in a hurry and yet they felt joy and ran to his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greeting,” he said.  They came to him fell down on their knees clasping his feet, worshiping.  Then Jesus bent down and lifted them to their feet “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.”  If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.  And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe.  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his words by the signs that accompanied it.

The Crucifixion

Now Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus was on his way home.  Coming in from his business out in the country he wanted to get home in time for the celebration of the Feast.  The streets were packed people were pushing and shoving each other to see what was happening in front of them.  Simon pushed his way through he really was in a hurry and wanted to get out of the crowd as soon as possible.  Before he knew it one of the centurions grabbed him and pulled him into the group.  

‘Pick up the cross and carry it.’  The Centurion instructed Simon.

‘No, I am not going to do that what will my friends say if they see me carrying a cross.’  Simon protested as he pulled away from the Centurion. 

‘You will take up this cross and carry it for Jesus.  It isn’t open for decision.’ The Centurion said and pushed Simon.

Simon had no choice in the matter and picked up the heavy cross.  They reached Golgotha the Place of the Skull. 

Simon stood and watch as the centurion hammered the six inch nails into Jesus hands and feet.  It must have been excruciating as Jesus turned pail each time one of the nails pierced his flesh.  The blood had dried on his back but as they pushed Jesus down on the cross you could see the blood trickle down the wood of the rugged cross.  Finally they pushed the cross up right and as it fell into the whole Jesus body fell into place and a rush of air escaped in anguish as he breathed.

Jesus clothes were being divided between the Soldiers as they took lots on each item.  It was the third hour when they crucified Jesus.  A notice was placed for all to see which read ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS.’   Two robbers where crucified with Jesus on the same day, one to the right of Jesus and one to the left of Jesus.

As I stood watching this my heart sank into my feet and watched the people who passed by; they were insulting Jesus and shaking their heads while saying ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself.’

The Chief Priests and the teachers of the law mocked Jesus among themselves.  ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!  Let this Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’

The two crucified with Jesus also heaped insults on him.

It was at the sixth hour when it became pitch black, so dark it frightened me.  And in the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”  which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  “Now leave him alone.  Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn into tow from top to bottom.  And when they centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs.  Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Jesus before Pilate

‘It has been decided, the High Priest wants us to get rid of this man Jesus.’  The Chief Priest said to the elders and teachers.  ‘Come let us take Jesus to Pilot.’ 

As the teachers of the law, the Chief Priests and elders gathered they had Jesus brought with them to see Pilot.  

Jesus walked with the crowd to Pilot and stood before him.  ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilot asked Jesus.  Looking at Pilot and the people gathered around them Jesus answered Pilot.  ‘Yes, it is as you say.’

Immediately the Chief Priest accused Jesus of many things.  So Pilot asked Jesus ‘Aren’t you going to answer?  See how many things they are accusing you of.’

Amazed that Jesus did not defend himself Pilot sat down for a moment.  It was customary to release a prisoner at the Feast for the people.  An insurrectionist named Barabbas was being held for murder during a riot.  The crowd came to Pilot and requested that a prisoner be released as was custom.

Pilate stood before the crowd and asked ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’  Pilate knew that it was out of envy that the Chief Priests had handed Jesus over to him.  But the Chief Priests stirred up the crowed to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’  Pilate asked them.

‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.

‘Why?  What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate.

But the crowd kept shouting louder and louder, ‘Crucify him!’ 

Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he released Barabbas to them.  Calling the centurions he commanded them to flog Jesus and hand him over to be crucified.

Jesus was lead to a place called the Praetorium and all the soldiers were called there.  They placed a purple robe on Jesus, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus, being malicious they pushed it hard onto his head.  Blood trickling down his face.  ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’  Again and again they struck Jesus on his head with a staff and spat him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him.  Jesus was lead out to be crucified.

Before the Sanhedrin

Before the Sanhedrin

The night was cold and the air seemed to be really icy.  The sky was clear and the moon shone brightly.  The High Priests and Chief Priests and elders with the congregation of men were sitting plotting against Jesus.  Judas had said, he would point them in the right direction; he would kiss Jesus in greeting. They could arrest him and do with him as they pleased.

Jesus was still in conversation with one of the disciples when the crowd and Judas walked through the gates toward him.  Jesus looked at Judas as he walked up to him and greeted ‘Rabbi’ moving closer kissing Jesus on the cheek.  The men rushed Jesus with swords and clubs wanting to grab him.  In the rush one of the men with Jesus drew his sword and cut of the ear of one of the servants of the High Priest.  

Jesus said ‘am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’  

 With that the disciples fled and left Jesus standing all alone.

Judas was in control of the situation and spoke to the crowd ‘Come let’s take Jesus to the High Priest and the Chief Priests they are waiting for him.’  Leading the way back to the meeting place with the crowd in hot pursuits they entered the meeting place.  The High Priest was sitting near the fire warming himself and speaking to one of the Chief Priests as Jesus and the crowd entered the meeting place. 

Pushing Jesus toward the High Priest and Chief Priests really satisfied with themselves they stood and waited for the action.  Calling forward a number of witnesses who testified falsely against Jesus and still trying to build their case against the Lord.  The one statement after the other was false and they didn’t even coincide with each other.  Statements like ‘We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days  I will build another, not made by man.’  Even then their statements didn’t agree.

Standing to his feet the High Priest walked over to Jesus and asked ‘Are you not going to answer?  What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’  

Jesus looked at him and said nothing.

The High Priest still standing in front of the Lord Jesus asked him ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’

Jesus answered him ‘I am, and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

Tearing his clothes the High Priest looked at the gathering saying ‘why do we need any more witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy.  What do you think?’

In one voice they all condemned him as worthy of death.  With that some of them walked over and spat on the Lord Jesus.  Blinding folding Jesus the struck him with their fits and said ‘Prophesy!’

Dragging Jesus off the guards beat him.  (Mark 14: 53 – 65)

Gethsemane

The moon shone brightly and the stars were shine as brightly this evening, there were a number of people in the garden of Gethsemane.  I didn’t want to be exposed and hid behind the trees when I heard men talking not too far from where I stood.  Leaning in I saw a man, he looked familiar and I recognise his beautiful voice.  Ah, I believe it must be Jesus and with Him were a number of men.  I see Peter, James and John are in His Company this evening.

Watching them I see that Jesus was speaking to them and then he turned and walked away from them, He seemed distressed and I can see he seems to be in earnest prayer.  Still hidden I stood and watched as Jesus finally got up and walked back to where He left the rest of His team.  On returning to them He found them all asleep.  

Standing closer to hear what the conversation was all about I picked up that the Lord Jesus was truly distressed.  I hear Him saying to them ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.’  Taking a deep breath he continues ‘Stay here and keep watch.’  Jesus walked away from them and fell down on the ground; I could literally see the anguish and pain that overcame.

I draw a little closer I want to hear what the Lord is praying.  As I stand in the cover of the trees shadows I hear the Lord ‘Abba, Father, everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.’  

My heart feels as though it is going to break as I watch the Lord Jesus walk back to the disciples, standing a moment looking down at them.  ‘Simon’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’  I stand in the shadows watching and waiting to see what is going to take place and the I see the Lord Jesus turning away from them and walking away from them.  

I see the Lord Jesus standing looking up to heaven with open face towards the sky, praying the same prayer as a moment ago.  In my heart I feel the terror and anticipate the coming trouble, I don’t understand what is going to happen here this evening but I cannot draw myself away from them.  I want to know.  Finally the Lord Jesus returned to the disciples and found them asleep.  As the Lord Jesus stood there they looked up at Him and didn’t say a word.  They didn’t have words to comfort Him.

Again the Lord Jesus walked away to pray.  I watch as He returns to the disciples while I stand there listening to their conversation I hear Him speaking to them.  ‘Are you still sleeping and resting?  Enough! The hour has come.  Look, the son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise! Let us go!  Here comes my betrayer!’

How did Jesus know, I stood watching and knew that it was a serious matter, what was going to take place now?

(My own interpretation of the work as written in Mark 14: 32 to 43).

May the Lord bless you as you read this rendition.