Holy Week: The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
Slow down today.
Don’t rush this.
Read the account of the crucifixion carefully.
See what Jesus endures.
See how people respond to Him.
See the cost.
This is not just a story—it is the center of our faith.
Matthew 27:27-54
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.
32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Jesus is mocked. Beaten. Stripped. Crowned with thorns.
He is led to Golgotha and nailed to a cross.
The crowd watches and mocks: “He saved others; he cannot save himself.”
But that is exactly the point.
He would not save Himself—so that He could save us.
Darkness falls over the land. And then Jesus cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
He bears the weight of sin.
He experiences the separation we deserve.
And then—He gives up His spirit.
At that moment, everything changes.
Reflection
What do you feel as you read this account?
Grief? Gratitude? Awe?
Response
Talk to God honestly about what this means to you.
Thank Him.
Worship Him.
Sit quietly before Him.
And ask Him to never let your heart graduate from the gospel.
Worship
Take a few minutes to listen to Man of Sorrows - https://youtu.be/trymV0sZds4?si=q3YBd5DZr_lQiDSM
Let it give you words to respond in praise.
Holy Week: The “Trial”
Jesus on Trial
Matthew 27:11-26
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
This trial is a sham.
Jesus stands before the governor—accused, questioned, and condemned.
Yet He offers almost no defense.
“He gave him no answer… so that the governor was greatly amazed.”
The charges are false. The verdict is predetermined. The outcome is unjust.
Even Pilate sees it.
He recognizes the envy behind the accusations.
He even receives a warning from his wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man.”
And yet—he still gives in.
Then comes the moment of decision. Pilate offers the crowd a choice:
Jesus—the innocent one.
Or Barabbas—a known criminal.
The response is shocking.
“Barabbas.”
Days earlier, crowds cried out, “Hosanna!”
Now they shout, “Crucify Him!”
Even when Pilate pushes back—“What evil has he done?”—No answer is given, only louder shouts of “Crucify Him!”
Pilate tries to distance himself.
He washes his hands.
He declares himself innocent. But he is not.
Jesus is condemned and Barabbas is free.
The guilty is released.
The innocent is punished.
Reflection
It’s easy to look at the crowd and wonder:
How could they do this?
How could they turn so quickly?
But we are not as different as we think.
We are all susceptible to influence. To pressure. To going along instead of standing firm.
Sometimes it’s not loud rebellion—it’s quiet compromise.
Where are you being shaped more by the crowd than by Christ?
Where are you tempted to go along instead of stand out?
Holy Week: Wednesday
Jesus in the Garden
Matthew 26:36-46
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Son of God was truly human.
In the garden, we see it clearly. Him like us!
Sorrowful. Troubled.
He knows what is coming.
Judas is on the way. Arrest is imminent. The cross arriving with tomorrows sunlight.
Jesus knows the road ahead: mocking, beating, scourging, and crucifixion. He knows the physical agony that is coming—and the weight of what He is about to carry.
And so He prays.
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…”
This is not weakness—it is honesty.
Jesus does what we are invited to do: He brings His honest feelings before God.
He does not pretend the path is easy.
He does not hide His desire for another way.
But He does not stop there.
“…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
That is the turning point.
Jesus does not allow His desires to override His obedience.
He trusts the Father—even when the path is painful. Because at times the Way of the Cross is the Will of God.
Reflection
We often find ourselves in this same place.
Facing something heavy.
Fearing what is ahead.
Asking God for another way.
And it is right to ask.
But we must learn to end our prayers the way Jesus does:
“Not my will, but yours.”
Are you seeking God’s will—or asking Him to approve yours?
It is right to bring your requests. It is wrong to demand the outcome.
Prayer Prompt
What are you carrying right now?
Name your fears.
Speak them honestly to God.
And then—open your hands.
Ask Him for what you desire,
but trust Him with what He decides.
His will is good—even when it is hard.
Holy Week: Tuesday
Jesus’ Warnings
Matthew 23:1-5
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
Jesus is not finished exposing what is broken.
After cleansing the temple, He now turns His attention directly to the temple leaders—the scribes and Pharisees. These are the respected voices. The teachers. The examples.
“They preach, but do not practice.”
They know the truth. Often, they even teach the truth.
But their lives do not reflect it.
They place heavy burdens on others—expectations, rules, standards—yet do nothing to help.
They perform their religion, but their motivation is clear: “They do all their deeds to be seen by others.”
Jesus doesn’t soften His words.
In the rest of Matthew 23, He delivers a series of sharp warnings (seven in total). In essence, He says:
You deny entry to God.
You lead others—but toward the wrong things.
You are consumed with gain rather than God
You major on the minor and ignore the majors.
You look good on the outside but neglect your inner life
You appear alive, but are spiritually dead
You claim to be better than past failures, but you are no different.
Jesus is clear: You are missing what matters.
Reflection
It’s easy to read this and think of them.
But Jesus is inviting us to examine ourselves.
Where has your faith become more about appearance than reality?
Where are you going through the motions without true surrender?
Holy Week: Monday
Jesus in the Temple
Matthew 21:12-17
12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,
“‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
17And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.
For a long time, Jesus has been set on Jerusalem. He enters the city to celebration—welcomed like a king. But the tone shifts quickly.
Instead of heading to a palace, Jesus goes to the temple—the very place meant for worship, sacrifice, and prayer. What he finds is something else entirely. Commerce. Noise. Exploitation.
What may have begun as a helpful system—providing animals for sacrifice—has become corrupted. The temple courts now resemble a marketplace more than a place of worship.
And so Jesus acts.He overturns tables. He drives people out. He declares:
“My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.”
This isn’t random anger—it’s righteousness on display.
The space meant for God has been overtaken by the priorities of man.
And then comes the contrast.
The blind and the lame come to him—and he heals them.
Children cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Worship is restored. Praise returns.
But the religious leaders? They see all of it—the healings, the praise, the undeniable work of God—and they are indignant.
Matthew even highlights the irony:
“When they saw the wonderful things that he did… they were indignant.”
They don’t miss what Jesus is doing—they reject it.
Why? When we become more concerned with the things of man rather than the things of God, we miss the messiah and focus on what is mine.
Reflection
Jesus didn’t just cleanse the temple then—he still exposes what doesn’t belong.
Where has attention on God been replaced with something else in your life?
What has subtly taken over what should belong to Him?
What needs to be overturned in your life?