The Betrayal and CrucifixionAfter supper, Jesus walked to a garden called Gethsemane for a time of prayer. His disciples followed Him to this secluded place. After His prayer, the chief priests and captains of the temple and the elders arrived there, looking for Jesus. Judas, who had just eaten with Him, was leading the group. Judas approached Jesus, greeting Him with a kiss of betrayal. Suddenly, Jesus identified himself to the mob by saying, “I AM.” The crowd went backwards and fell to the ground. After that, Jesus allowed himself to be tied up and brought into the high priest’s house. The temple officers who held Jesus ridiculed Him and spit in His face. And when they had blindfolded Him, they punched Him and slapped Him on the face, and then said, “Prophesy you holy man. Who hit you?” Early the next morning, the crowd led Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow corrupting our Jewish nation.” But after questioning Jesus, Pilate told the chief priests, the rulers and the people; “He has done nothing worthy of death. I’ll just order Him to be beaten and then release Him.” But they called out all at once, saying, “Get rid of this man. Crucify Him. Crucify Him.” Pilate, wanting to satisfy the people, had Jesus brutally whipped, and then turned Him over to be crucified. The Roman soldiers braided a mocking crown of thorns, placing it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. They said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they beat Him with their fists. Afterward they took Jesus and led Him away, making Him carry a wooden cross up to a place called Calvary, also known as Golgotha or the place of a skull. |