When we think about Easter, we usually envision happenings during Holy Week, the Passover meal, the path to Golgotha, the Cross, the tomb and the Resurrection. Those are the images of Easter for us a Christians. But as I’ve been reading about these events this week, I’ve begun to think about other things that may have transpired “behind the scenes”. I want to share some of those.
Simon of Cyrene – This was a man, a worshipper of God, who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover event. He was standing in the crowd with his two sons as Jesus was coming by. One of the soldiers realized that Jesus could no longer carry the heavy cross, so he looked over and likely said, “Hey you, get over here and carry this man’s cross!” Imagine Simon’s surprise as, maybe, he was forcefully brought out of the crowd. As he took the cross from Jesus’ shoulder, he probably got some of Jesus’ blood on him and maybe even touched Jesus. I can imagine that Jesus might have nodded His head in thanks to Simon. And later, did he realize the important task he did in service to Jesus? (Luke 23:26)
Those who stood nearby – In John 19:25-27 we read about some who were near the cross: Jesus’ mother, some other women and the disciple John, who Jesus loved. Imagine how they felt, especially Mother Mary. Then Jesus noticed them and spoke to them, so they had to be close enough to hear Him. He told his mother that John would now fill in as her son and He told John to take care of Mary as his mother. Can you see Mary looking at John and maybe they hugged? These were the only close friends and family mentioned here.
The man crucified with Jesus – Two criminals were crucified alongside Jesus, with Jesus in the middle. One was acting like an entitled felon, ranting against and insulting Jesus. But the other seemed to be repentant, rebuking his fellow criminal, then turned to Jesus, apparently believing who He was, and asked to be remembered when Jesus got to Heaven. Jesus not only would remember him but, in today’s language, said, “Man, today you and I are both going to be in Paradise.” Imagine later on that day when the man stood with Jesus on the streets of gold! Forgiven! (Luke 23:32-43)
The soldier who “won” Jesus’ clothes – Sometime between 9:00 AM and noon, while Jesus hung dying on the cross, the soldiers who crucified him cast lots or gambled for his clothes. Imagine the scene: “OK, here’s his garment, let’s see who gets it.” “Now, his sandals, etc.” It seems so wrong to be doing this at the foot of the cross, but they considered Jesus as just another criminal. I thought about when the soldier who won his garment got home and showed his family what he had won, what did he do with it? The soldiers had seen all that happened when Jesus died and were convinced that He WAS the Son of God. So, did this soldier honor His garment, wear it, put it in the closet? I wonder…(John 19:23-24)
Everyone when it got dark – “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:44-45). Imagine everyone who was at the crucifixion when it got dark at noon. They had to know something was going on. Did the scoffers change their minds? Did the believers wonder what was next? Were they all afraid? Then, what about the priests and some others who were in the Holy Place, the Outer Room, of the temple when this happened and the veil was torn? Jewish law stated that only the priest could enter the Holy of Holies to make a sacrifice and only once a year. But several other priests and others may have been outside the veil. What did they think when they witnessed the sacred curtain being torn from top to bottom? Did they know?
The earthquake – At the moment when Jesus gave up his life, at the same time the veil was torn, an earthquake happened. It split the rocks and opened tombs and many holy people who had died came to life and went into Jerusalem. (Matthew 27:51-53). Imagine the thoughts of the people who saw the darkness, felt the earthquake and then saw people who had died walking in town! Maybe people near the tombs saw them come out!
All this happened on Friday, Good Friday. As I said earlier, we all know the major events of Holy Week, the crucifixion, the silent Saturday and then the resurrection on the third day. These things about which I have written were images I imagined which may have happened “behind the scenes”. They may give us a different look at Easter. But the facts remain: Jesus was born, lived a sinless life, was falsely accused, died on a cross, buried in a tomb, but…on the third day, He rose to life, eternal life, to give us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in Paradise. It was all God’s plan. And now, IT IS FINISHED!
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