Anchor Your Life

Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. . . they laid Jesus there. (NIV) John 19:40-42

After hanging on the cross for nearly 6 hours, Jesus bows His head and breathes His last breathe. As evening approaches, a rich man named Joseph, boldly goes to Pontius Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body. Joseph is a prominent member of the Jewish Supreme Court, who secretly has become a disciple of Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus’ body to be given to Joseph.

Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, takes down the body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth. Then he places it in a new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolls a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and goes away. Mary Magdalene and some other women had followed Joseph, see the tomb where Jesus’ body is laid. Friday evening comes to an end with not much to look forward to on Saturday. . .

That’s it – here’s a man who lived a good life, but died a criminal’s death. Jesus’ disciples were most likely trying to make new plans for their futures. Hope was gone, He had died on the cross. End of story. . . or so it seems. Little did they know what Sunday would bring! Jesus Christ back from the dead!

Are you in a waiting mode? waiting for circumstances to change? for health to be restored? for a spouse to begin a relationship with Christ? for a child to return to God? As you wait, where are your eyes? Are they on “Saturday’s” circumstances? or on “Sunday’s” hope?

The disciples were only seeing what the present moment brought. . . despair and disappointment. We know the rest of the story. . . that on Easter morn, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. . . once and for all defeating death and offering hope to all who believe in Him. If you feel like you’re experiencing “Saturday’s waiting mode”, look for Jesus and know without a doubt that in Him you have a glorious eternal future!

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When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (NIV) John 19:30

The soldiers arrested Jesus, bound Him and brought Him to the officials, to begin His first of six trials. Five times, Pontius Pilate and King Herod declare Christ innocent of the charges brought against Him. But, afraid of a riot breaking out and of being accused of disloyalty to Caesar. . .Pilate goes before the crowd, washes his hands and says “I am innocent of this man’s blood, it is your responsibility!” Pilate sentences Jesus to die by crucifixion.

Crucifixion was the Romans most severe form of execution – so severe, it was reserved for slaves and criminals. The punishment was invented to make death painful and lingering. The cross was not a symbol of faith, but a symbol of failure. . . not a sign of morality, but lawlessness. . . not a symbol of respect, but of unspeakable shame.

Jesus is nailed to the crossbar with 5″ iron spikes driven between the bones of his wrists. Then, 4 soldiers lift the crossbar up, dragging Jesus with it, to fix it onto the upright beam. Finally, Jesus’ feet are nailed in. Jesus responds by saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The sovereign, omnipotent, eternal God, did not threaten, did not condemn, didn’t even pronounce doom on His crucifiers. . .contrary to common sense He prayed for them.

Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion, is at a major intersection outside Jerusalem. Those who passed by stared at the condemned and “hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:39-40). . .Come down from the cross – HE WOULDN’T COME DOWN – all this is happening according to God’s pre-determined plan!

The One who is the Creator of life. . . the One who breathed life into those who are crucifying Him, gasped for air. It’s now 3PM – it has been dark since noon – Jesus says: “It is finished.” He’s even in control of His own death. From start to finish, Jesus death had been planned. . .His job is complete.

Contrary to common sense. . .what looked like tragedy, became triumph – while hell was rejoicing. . .God was waiting for His ultimate victory over sin and death. Jesus died that we may live. . .the cross cost us nothing. . .it cost God everything! Have you accepted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for your sins?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (NIV) John 12:32

TUESDAY
Jesus’ authority is challenged and questioned by the religious leaders, only to have His answers silence His accusers. The crowds reaction: they are amazed with His teaching, in awe of His answers, they want to crown Him their King.

Jesus once again refers to His death. . .”The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”. . .”Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”. . . “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:23-24; 27-28; 31-33)

But, even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in the people’s presence and they had heard His teaching, they still would not believe in him. Yet many leaders believed in Him. But, they feared that the Pharisees would put them out of the synagogue if they professed their faith in Jesus. Many of them loved the praise from men more than praise from God. In response to their loyalties to men, Jesus said: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:25-26)

Meanwhile, the religious leaders are plotting to execute Jesus, but first they need a witness. Before a Roman court would hear a case, there had to be an official indictment lodged against Jesus. This indictment had to be signed by a witness who agreed to appear in court to give testimony for the prosecution against the charge. Judas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples (followers), goes to the religious leaders and offers to lead them to Jesus. In return, he receives 30 pieces of silver, the sum paid for a slave. Judas agrees to offer himself as a witness against Jesus on a yet undetermined charge. . .Judas is the witness the religious leaders need.

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger