From: Bass Mitchell <bassm@va.tds.net>

To: homilies <homilies@egroups.com>

Subject: [homilies] Good Friday April 21 Exegesis

Exegesis

Good Friday

April 9, 2004

Reading: John 18:1-19:42

NOTE: There are other readings for this day of course. But I have chosen to concentrate on the Gospel reading. I present it in a different way. It is more interactive. The questions are within the comments. To get the most out of it, read through it and take time to reflect on and answer the questions asked. Hopefully this will help you come to this old story in a newer way.

John 18:1. The Kidron valley separated Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It is east of Jerusalem. It did have a brook or stream during the rainy season or when the winter snows in the mountains were melting. It was usually dry in summer. Water from it was used to irrigate gardens.

William Barclay notes that this was the Passover. At this time thousands of lambs were sacrificed. The blood of these lambs was often channeled down to

the Kidron Brook. Perhaps Jesus saw the blood there that night and thought about his own sacrifice.

They were going to Gethsemane means "oil press." There must have been some place in the garden where the olives were taken to be pressed and the oil saved. A good biblical map will help you explain where Gethsemane was most likely located - on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives. Often thesegardens were owned by wealthy persons. It wasn't uncommon for there to be a wall around the garden and a locked gate. Perhaps Jesus knew the owner and had special permission to go there whenever he wished.

Jesus goes there apparently to pray and to prepare for the coming events. Also, this seems to have been a favorite spot for Jesus. No doubt he and his disciples had spent a good deal of time there. Perhaps Jesus also went there because it was Passover. The city was crowded. In the garden they would have plenty of room.

John doesn't tell us much about what Jesus did in the garden before he was arrested. But read Matthew 26:36-46 gives us some insight. Read them right now.

A garden is a pleasant place, isn't it?. We picture beautiful trees, lovely flowers, soft green grass, and even a lake or pond. No doubt this garden was a lovely spot. But let's not let our sentimental feelings about gardens make us forget what was going on that night. The garden was a place of agony for Jesus (See Mark 14:33,34; Luke 22:44). Here Jesus struggled with his own human desire to live and with the will of the Father. He knew what was ahead - the cross! He could have chosen otherwise. Instead, he chose to be obedient!

Do you have such a garden? No, not just a serene, beautiful place that restores your soul. Certainly such a place is needed by everyone. But there come times in a Christian's life when we have to enter our own Gethsemane! There we agonize over our own self-centered desires and what we know God would have us do. There we have to make crucial decisions. And those choices show who we really are and what we really believe. When have you been in your own Gethsemane? When's a time in your life that you really had to struggle with God's will? What did you do?

John 18:2,3. We know from John 13:30 that Judas had left the Upper Room even before the meal was over. He was anxious to be about his treachery.

Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus?

The most common reason is seen as greed. Judas did accept thirty pieces of silver from the Jewish leaders.

Another interesting theory is that Judas was a "Zealot" ZAIL-UT). This was a group of radical Jews who looked for every opportunity to stir up trouble for the Romans. They were revolutionaries. They looked for a military Messiah to lead them in overthrowing the Romans. Perhaps Judas thought Jesus was this Messiah and wanted to force Jesus into a confrontation with the Romans. But it didn't work out that way!

Judas led the Temple police and some Roman soldiers to the garden. That's probably one reason the Jewish leaders chose Judas - he knew where they could find Jesus.

The Sanhedrin or governing Jewish body had a kind of police force they used to patrol and keep peace in the Temple area, as well as to carryout their orders. To this group Pontius Pilate had added a "cohort" of Roman soldiers. A "cohort" could be 200 or more men! Pilate did this probably out of fear. The Passover time was one of great patriotic fervor. If there was going to be any insurrection, it would be now. Pilate wanted to prevent this.

Why did they waited until Jesus was out in a remote place before trying to arrest him?

Perhaps the main reason was fear, fear of causing a riot among the people. After all, Jesus was fairly popular among the people, especially the poor.

The fact that they wanted to do this at night and in secret says a lot about their motives and their justification for doing this. They knew that they were doing something very wrong. They didn't care! All they wanted to do was get rid of Jesus.

We know from the other Gospels that Judas had a plan for identifying Jesus. What was it? (See Mark 14:44.) He would identify him with a kiss, a common way for a disciple to greet his master.

John 18:4-6. We see here how Jesus confronts them. They had come to the garden with torches, thinking that they would have to look in every dark corner of the garden to find a hiding man. Instead, Jesus comes up to them and boldly asks them who and what they want! This must have caught them a little off guard.

John 18:7-9. At least two things are very clear here.

First, it's quite clear whose in control - Jesus. All these men with clubs and swords against one man! They are cowering on the ground before him!

Second, it's equally clear that Jesus gives himself up. He allows himself to be arrested. At this point he could have easily walked away from them, as he had done before. Yet, he willingly holds out his hands and allows himself to be bound. He gave his life freely! This is just how completely submitted he was to the God's will.

Jesus isn't concerned about himself. His thoughts are for his disciples. He tells the men that he will go with them if they will let his disciples go free! What love!

When Jesus was on the cross, his thoughts were still of others. He forgave those who crucified him. He looked down and saw his mother. He put her care into the hands of one of his disciples. He was bleeding to death and his thoughts were only of others. And on that cross, he looked into the future. His thoughts were of us. He died for us! What love!

Wouldn't it be great if every Christian in the church had a love like that? What things could be done for the Lord if our love was such that we always thought of others and put them before ourselves! What a tremendous witness to the world that would be.

John 18:10-14. The servant's name was Malchus." We know very little about Malchus (MAL-cus). In fact, only in John are we told his name and that Peter was the disciple who cut off the ear of Malchus. We do know that he was a special servant of the high priest.

According to Matthew 26:52-54, Jesus said something else to Peter. What?

What does Luke 22:51 add to what happened here?

Jesus was arrested. He was led out of the garden to the house of Annas, a former high priest and the man with the real power, even though he wasn't the official high priest at this time. The next passage will deal with what happened when Jesus was brought before Annas.

John 18:15-18.

1. What did Peter do?

2. The last part of Luke 22:54 adds to this. What does it say about Peter?

3. Do you see any courage in Peter at this point?

Courage isn't the first thing we notice in this story. Peter was following at a distance, but at least he was still following Jesus! Where were the other disciples? Peter lacks the courage that he will have after the resurrection. He's hiding around corners and behind trees, just far enough back for the soldiers not to see him. He's not right up there beside Jesus. But, his love for Christ will not let him completely abandon him.

Peter's life was in danger. He knew he was taking a risk. After all, these men had seen him with Jesus in the garden. They could have easily identified him and even arrested him. Yet, he follows.

4. Do you think that following Christ at a distance is a problem among Christians today?

It's not very hard to deny Christ. We too can find ourselves caught between fear and faith, courage and weakness. We want to stand up for Christ but fail. Have you ever been in that situation or experienced this feeling?

Try to think of some situations in which you have felt a little afraid, threatened, or reluctant to let your Christianity show.

Before we criticize Peter, let's take a look at our own Christian walk. Are we trying to follow Christ, even at a distance? Do others know that you are a Christian?

5. Another disciple is mentioned here. What are we told about this person?

6. Who do you think this disciple was?

They took him inside the house of the high priest. It must have had a courtyard.

7. What did Peter do?

8. Why do you think he did this?

9. What did the other disciple do for Peter?

10. Who asked Peter a question here?

11. What was her question? Put it in your own words. Ask someone to do this.

12. Put yourself in Peter's place. What were his thoughts and feelings when he heard that question?

What a contrast! In the garden it was a bold Peter who risked his life by striking one of those who came to arrest Jesus. Now we see him cowering before a servant girl who asked about his relationship with Christ. He denied being a disciple!

13. Then what did Peter do? (verse 18)

It was cold that night. Jerusalem is about a half-mile above sea level. It does get quite cool there at nights in the spring.

14. What must have been going through Peter's mind as he stood there warming himself?

John 18:19-24. In verse 13, John tells us that first they led Jesus to Annas. In verses 19 - 24, we read about what happened when Jesus was brought before Annas. Here are some facts about Annas:

Annas was not the acting high priest (see John 18:13).

He was high priest from A.D. 6 - 15. From other sources, we learn that he was considered a very evil and greedy man. We certainly get such an insight from these verses.

Since Jesus was brought before him first, Annas must have still exercised a great deal of power and influence.

Also, Annas and his family were the ones thought to have run the money changing business. They were crooks! When Jesus cast them out of the temple, it hurt their business. It's no wonder that Annas was anxious to get rid of Jesus.

1. Why is Annas questioning Jesus? What's he trying to do?

Annas conducts the first interrogation of Jesus. His purpose in questioning Jesus about his disciples and his teaching is to discover grounds for charging Jesus. From what he asks Jesus here, Annas seems to be trying to get Jesus to admit that he was the leader of a dangerous underground religion or Jewish sect. This would have provided grounds for a death penalty. Annas was also trying to get Jesus to confess to being a revolutionary. This would give Annas a charge to bring to Pilate.

Jesus knows very well what Annas is trying to do. He rejects any idea of founding some secret order, that he was making disciples and teaching them secret things that were intended to oppose the Jewish faith. Jesus boldly shares the facts that he had taught everything in public. He had done this for years! He taught everywhere. Why were they questioning him now?

2.Jesus refers to something very important here. What?

According to Jewish law, no person could be asked to testify against himself. Evidence against a person had to come from others, that is, witnesses. Indeed, the accused should not even be questioned! This was the correct and just way to proceed. Annas, however, wasn't interested in justice!

In his answer to Annas (verse 21), Jesus reminds him that witnesses should be called in to give testimony. Jesus has spoken openly. The Jewish leaders had all heard him. They should be called in to tell what they had heard Jesus say. After all, that was the law!

3. When Jesus had said this, what happened? (verse 22)

John 18:25-27. Read these verse silently to yourself. Contrast Peter here with Jesus before Annas.

1. When Peter heard the cock crow, what's one word that would best describes how you think he felt? ________________

2. Turn to John 21:15-17. This is after the resurrection of Jesus. Notice that Jesus asked Peter the same question three times. In light of what we've just studied about Peter's denial, why do you think Jesus asked him this question three times?

There's no way most of us can read this story and end up feeling good about ourselves. If we do, we've probably missed what it has to say to us. It's a sad story. We feel sorry for Peter. This had to be one of his darkest hours. He had failed miserably! He had denied even knowing his Lord!

No, we don't feel good about ourselves, as if we were superior to Peter. We grieve with him because we have been there with him! Perhaps we haven't come right out and denied Christ, but there's more than one way to do it. If we're honest with ourselves, we'd have to admit that there have been times when we let Christ down, when we have, in essence, denied knowing him or having any part of him. It may have been in our failure to witness for him when we had the chance, or compromising the principles by with he calls us to live, or even following him from such a distance that others don't know we are his disciples.

Very few of us have never denied our Lord. Already you've been thinking of such failures in your life. Painful, isn't it? Maybe you've let him down this very week. Don't let it end there. Peter went on to find forgiveness and new strength from Christ. So can you!

John 18:28-40. When Jesus said that he had come to bear witness to the truth, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" Who knows what Pilate was thinking at this point. Was it a cynical question? Being a man of the world, perhaps he thought that no one really had "the truth" or could know it. All you can do is the best you can. You really don't have anything to build your life on or guide you in living.

Many people think this way today. They are searching for the truth and want the truth, but aren't sure that it really exists. They don't know where to look and often look to the wrong things or persons.

Suppose someone asked you that question, "What is truth?" How would you answer it as a Christian ? Let the class answer.

CAIAPHAS AND JESUS. Caiaphas was the high priest at this time. Also, he was the son-in-law of Annas. We know that first Jesus was taken to Annas. Then, about 2 or 3 a.m., Jesus was taken to Caiaphas. John 18:28 simple says that they led Jesus from the palace of Caiaphas (KI-uh-fus) to Pilate.

Isn't it interesting that John tells us nothing about what happened when Jesus was before Caiaphas. He does tell us something about Jesus before Annas. Read Matthew 26:57-68 for an account of what happened when Jesus was brought before Caiaphas. There we see Jesus tried before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish governing council).

PILATE AND JESUS (John 18:28-40).

They take Jesus to the "praetorium" (pray-TORE-ee-um). That's the Roman or Latin name for the place in the Roman governor's palace where he would sit and make judgements.

1. Caiaphas and other members of the Sanhedrin would not enter this place. Why? What reason is given? (See also Acts 10:28.)

Have you ever seen a greater example of hypocrisy than this? They were afraid to go into the house of a Gentile, lest they be made unclean and thereby unable to celebrate the passover. But for most of the night they had been busy condemning an innocent man! They knew Jesus was innocent. They even got witnesses, probably paying them, to bring false testimony against him. And here they are worrying about being unclean because of being near Pilate's house! It was a little too late for that!

2. What did Pilate ask the members of the Sanhedrin?

3. What was their response?

Pontius Pilate was, of course, the Roman governor of Judea. Being the highest ranking Roman authority in the area, he would decide or rule on cases according to Roman law.

4. What is Pilate trying to do here?

As he will continue to do, Pilate tries to get out of dealing with Jesus. Here he does so by thinking that this whole matter is just another petty religious squabble about which he cares little. This is why he told them to try Jesus themselves. The Romans gave a good deal of freedom to many of their conquered people. For example, the Jewish leaders had the authority to deal with many of their daily religious affairs. The Romans stepped in only when they had to or when a matter involved Roman law. However, they were especially sensitive to any threat or hint of insurrection. The Jewish leaders knew this and would take advantage of it, as we shall see.

5. The leaders refused Pilate's suggestion. Why?

The Jewish leaders had already tried and condemned Jesus. Now they wanted to use Pilate to do their dirty work for them. Only he could execute criminals.

5. Read verse 32 again. Then read John 2:32,33. What are these verses describing?

6. What was the usual means of execution used by the Jews?

Read the following passages:

Leviticus 24:14, 16; John 10:31.

7. Read Luke 23:1-5 to the class. Here we are given a fuller account of what leaders said to Pilate. What charge did they make against Jesus that was sure to get the interest of Pilate?

8. Luke also of another way that Pilate tried to get rid of Jesus. What was it? (See Luke 23:6,7)

It's clear from Pilate's question to Jesus that the charges against Jesus were political ones. Had they been of a purely religious nature, Pilate probably would have refused to even hear the case. But when they charged that Jesus was proclaiming himself their king, in opposition to Caesar, Pilate had to take some action.

9. How would you describe Pilate's view of kingship? In other words, what was a king in Pilate's view?

10. How does Jesus' view of kingship differ from that of Pilate's? (See verses 36, 37).

Jesus answered Pilate's question (verse 33) with a question (verse 34). He asked, "Is this idea of me being a king your idea or have others suggested it to you?" Now Pilate was on trial and Jesus was judge! Jesus wanted Pilate to see the truth for himself, not to be the tool of the Jews.

Never in the Gospels do we see Jesus claiming the title of "king," or, for that matter, any other such title. Why? Because these titles were inadequate for him. They did not convey who he really was and what he had come to do. Even the title "Messiah" he often refused. Why? Because to so many it had come to mean some military figure who would rise up and lead the people in revolt against Rome. But Jesus came to fight the real enemy - the sin in the hearts of men and women that enslaved them.

11. What was Jesus trying to tell Pilate?

Jesus tried to explain to Pilate that he wasn't a king in the sense that Pilate was using it. Jesus defined his kingship in spiritual rather than political terms. He was king of saints, not soldiers. The power he would wield was not brute military force but that of love. His was the spiritual kingdom made up of subjects who had seen the truth about God and themselves in him, and who had accepted that truth (verse 37).

What is truth? That was Pilate's question. Well, the answer is simple and profound - Jesus is the truth. He is the way, the life, the truth! Those interested in knowing the truth that leads to abundant and eternal life listen to Jesus.

Pilate found no basis for the charges against Jesus. He understands that Jesus claims no kind of political kingship. So he goes back before the Jewish leaders and tells them this. But he does not release Jesus. The next verses tell us what he did (vs 39)

We all know this story. What an injustice! Jesus, totally innocent, takes the place of Barabbas, a man who was a thief and probably a murderer. But, you see, isn't that what Jesus did for all of us on the cross. He took our place. He takes the guilt and punishment for our sin, and sets us free!

John 19:1-16a. Jesus is condemned.

1. Just read these verses at least a couple of times. What do you feel, think as you read them?

Pilate gives in to the wishes of the crowd. He has Jesus flogged or scourged, perhaps thinking this would satisfy them. This often in itself resulted in death. it was made of a whip which had pieces of metal, glass, bone embedded into the straps, then was whipped and dragged across the back, causing great cuts. This is itself was enough to kill many people. But it was just the beginning.

Many of the guards are called out in the praetorium, the judgment court for the governor. They take turns further abusing Jesus. They mock him by placing a purple robe on his back. They salute him, slapping him at the same time. They hit him with a reed which they may have used as his scepter. They mockingly knelt before him. They spit on him.

2. Why do you think Pilate repeatedly attempts to releases Jesus, that is, saying, "I find no case against him?

3. Pilate was nervous and afraid, especially after he learned something about Jesus. What was that (vs 7)?

4. What does the crowd do that finally make Pilate decide to give into them (vs 12)?

5. What's the irony in vs 15? Who could they only rightly call their king? Yet what do they say here?

John 19:16b-27. Jesus is crucified.

They take Jesus outside the city walls, as Jewish law would not permit execution inside the walls on the Passover. The place was "Golgotha," which means "place of the skull," either because it was a hill shaped like a skull or because skulls could be found there from previous executions. It is most likely that the main poles were left standing there as constant reminders to everyone of what happens to enemies of Rome. Jesus most likely carried the crossbeam on which his hands will be fastened. Actually, the nails would have been driven through the wrists rather than the hand which would not have been able to withstand the weight. One nail perhaps was driven through both feet after he was lifted up onto the pole. Two thieves were crucified beside him. Baptized at the beginning with sinners, now dying between two sinners. Then the soldiers cast lots or gambled for the only possession he had - his clothes. They had taken everything physical he had.

1. What did Pilate have placed on the cross?

2. Why do you think he did this?

3. How did the Jewish leadership feel about this?

4. Who was at the foot of the cross that day? Vss 25bf.

5. What does Jesus say to them and why?

John 19:28-42. Death and Burial of Jesus.

1. "DEATH." What's the first thought when you hear that word?

Vss 28-30. Note the knowledge of Jesus. Jesus knows that he's about to complete all the Father had sent him to do. He had carried out the Father's will faithfully and fully.

There is concern that all the Scripture be fulfilled. The specific verse in mind here may be Psalm 69:21. Read and reflect on it.

We see here the real humanity of Jesus. He was a real humman being. He was thirsty. His suffering was real. Because he was one of us, he understands what we experience. He has experienced everything we do in this life and more. So when we go to him, we can be confident that he knows what we're going through and can help us ( a point often made in the Letter to the Hebrews).

Note that only as he nears death does he think of himself and his needs. Up to this point, his mind was on others. Look up the verses below concerning who Jesus was concerned about:

A. Luke 23:34

B. Luke 23:40-43

C. John 19:26, 27

But the list isn't complete. When Jesus was dying on the cross, he also looked into the future and thought of us! Can we even begin to comprehend a love like that? Dying in agony, yet thinking of others!

Vs 29. Nice of them, wasn't it, to offer a thirsty, dying man vinegar to drink? This vinegar was a kind of sour wine that soldiers and laborers drank. To say the least, it must have tasted awful. But read Psalm 69:21.

2. Mark 15:23 and Matthew 27:34 tell us that Jesus was offered something else to drink. What?

3. What kind of plant did they use to lift the sponge up to Jesus?

4. Is the use of this plant significant? Read Exodus 12:22. What was hyssop used for there? What did the blood of the lamb do for the people in Egypt? In light of this, what's this verse saying to us?

5. "It is finished!" What did Jesus mean? What was finished? Did Jesus just mean his life was over? Was this, then, a cry of defeat and utter despair?

6. Once again note the hypocrisy and total moral blindness of the religious leadership. Where do we see it in these verses?

It was getting close to sunset (6 p.m.). At that point the first day of Passover would begin. And that day, also being a Sabbath, made it even more special, that is, "a high day." It wouldn't do to have bodies hanging around on that day! That just wasn't appropriate! They had just been responsible for the death of an innocent man and all they're concerned about is getting the bodies down lest the Sabbath be somehow defiled.

7. The request they make to Pilate is that the legs of the three crucified be broken and their bodies buried. Why did they want this done?

You see, crucifixion usually lasted several days. Breaking their legs with a heavy wooden mallet would hasten their death. They did this to the two thieves. Jesus, however, was already dead. But to make sure he was dead, one soldier stabbed him in the side.

The writer of this Gospel then tells us that this fulfilled two passages of Scripture. He probably has Exodus 12:46 and Zechariah 12:10 in mind. Read them.

We can learn quite a bit about Joseph of Arimathea

(AIR-uh-MAY-thee-uh) from the Gospels. Look up the following passages and not what they tell us about him:

A. Matthew 27:57 -

B. Mark 15:43 -

C. Luke 23:50, 51 -

Both Joseph and Nicodemus were "silent disciples" of Christ. They obviously admired him. Indeed, they showed great courage in going before Pilate and the other Jewish leaders to see to the burial of Jesus. With tenderness and great care, they removed the body of Christ from the cross, put spices on him, and wrapped him in a linen burial cloth.

Most of us can identify with these two men. They believed in Christ but found it difficult to openly profess it. We must not be afraid to show our love for Christ wherever we are. If we love him, we can't help but show it, even if it means being persecuted and ridiculed.

Jesus was laid in a tomb that was in a garden near Golgotha. Perhaps this whole garden belonged to Joseph. Matthew tells us that the tomb belonged to Joseph (see Matthew 27:60). And from the other Gospels we learn that the tomb was sealed by a large stone.

After reading this old story in hopefully a new and fresh way, how do you feel?

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Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VA

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