YESHUA MOSHIACH --- PART 6

The Betrayal and Arrest:
The various outbursts of popular support were soon over and the determined opposition seemed to resume control. In John’s Gospel, the sense of approaching climax is expressed in terms of -- His hour -- John 13:1. When this at length comes, the betrayal and arrest are seen as part of a larger plan. From the upper room where the Last Supper was eaten, Yeshua went straight to the Garden of Gethsemane -- Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46, where He prayed to His Father with deep intensity and agony. It cost Yeshua to identify Himself with man’s need. He prayed for the cup of suffering to pass from Him, but at the same time He submitted to the Father’s will. The three disciples He took with Him all fell asleep, while one of His other disciples, having betrayed his master, appeared at the gates at the head of the group who had come to arrest Him. At the moment of confrontation with Judas, Yeshua exhibited an amazing dignity when He addressed the betrayer as His [friend] -- Matthew 26:50. He offered no resistance when He was arrested and chided the crowd of people for their swords and clubs -- 26:55.

The Trial:
Yeshua was first taken to the house of Annas, one of the high priests, for a preliminary examination -- John 18:13. During His trial, He was scorned by His enemies and one of His disciples Peter, denied Him three times -- Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27, as Yeshua predicted he would -- Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; John 13:38. The official trial before the Sanhedrin was presided over by Caiaphas, who was puzzled when Yeshua at first refused to speak. At length Yeshua predicted that the Son of Man would come on the clouds of heaven; this was enough to make the high priest charge Him with blasphemy -- Mark 14:62-64. Although He was spat upon and His face was struck, Yeshua remained calm and dignified. He showed how much greater He was than those who were treating Him with contempt. The further examinations before Pilate -- Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28 and Herod -- Luke 23:7-12, were more examples of injustice. Again, Yeshua did not answer when asked about the charges before either Pilate -- Matthew 27:14 or Herod -- Luke 23:9. He remained majestically silent, except to make a comment to Pilate about the true nature of His Kingship -- John 18:33-38. The pathetic governor declared Yeshua innocent, offered the crowds the release of either Yeshua or Barabbas and then publicly disclaimed responsibility by washing his hands. Pilate then had Yeshua scourged and handed Him over to be crucified.

The Crucifixion:
The soldiers’ mocked Yeshua -- Matthew 27:27-30, mixing a royal robe with a painful crown of thorns -- Mark 15:17 and compelling a passer-by to carry the cross -- Luke 23:26. They then nailed Yeshua to the cross and played a cruel game, casting lots for His garment -- John 19:23-24. They scornfully challenged Him to use His power to escape -- Matthew 27:40-44. But against this is Yeshua’s concern about the repentant criminal who was crucified with Him -- Luke 23:39-43. He also expressed concern for His mother -- John 19:25-27, prayed for forgiveness for those responsible for the Crucifixion -- Luke 23:34 and made one final triumphant cry -- Mark 15:37. He showed a nobility of mind that contrasted strongly with the meanness of those about Him. A few observers showed a better appreciation, like the centurion who was convinced of Yeshua’s innocence -- 15:39 and the women who followed Him and stood at a distance -- Matthew 27:55-56. At Yeshua’s forsaken cry -- Mark 15:34, there was darkness and an earthquake, as if nature itself were acknowledging the significance of the event. Even the temple veil was torn in two, as though it no longer had any right to bar the way into the Holy of Holies -- Matthew 27:51. Yeshua’s death had paved the way for all people to freely enter YHVH’s presence and worship Him. He paid for our sins and brought us back to YHVH.

The Burial, Resurrection and Ascension:
Yeshua’s Body was placed in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was assisted by Nicodemus in laying the Body to rest -- Matthew 27:57-60; John 19:39. But the tomb played only an incidental part in the resurrection. The Gospel writers concentrate on the appearances of Yeshua not only on the day of resurrection but also afterward. The disciples were convinced that Yeshua was alive. Some like Thomas, had doubts to overcome -- John 20:24-29. Others like John, were more ready to believe when they saw the empty tomb -- 20:2-10. The first to see the risen Adonai was a woman, Mary Magdalene -- Matthew 27:61; Matthew 28:1, 5-9, whose presence at the cross put to shame those disciples who had run away -- Matthew 26:56; John 19:25. We may note that in His glorified, risen state Yeshua was in a human form, although He was not at once recognized -- John 20:15-16. The appearances were occasions of both joy and instruction -- compare to Luke 24:44 and Acts 1:3. The Resurrection in fact, had transformed the Crucifixion from a tragedy into a triumph. His Ascension into heaven came forty days after His resurrection. Yeshua ascended into heaven to join His Father in glory -- Luke 24:51; John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11.