JESUS ​​CHRIST – TRIUMPHAL VICTORY IN JERUSALEM AND IN THE WORLD

 

It was late in the afternoon of a long march, shaken by many dusty and unexplored paths, where Master Jesus had already traveled through all the cities, all the towns, all the villages and hamlets. Already in the city of Jericho, located on the west bank of the Jordan River, he tirelessly gazed at the horizons that reflected the beauty of the palm trees with the light and gentle touch of the winds, and he never tired of professing his faith, pouring out his miraculous powers. Thus, Jesus of Nazareth observed the great wall that fortified the city because of the invasions. There, leaning against the side of the great wall, a beggar in his dirty clothes asked people who passed by hurriedly among the people.

 

The blind beggar begged, saying:

 

-Please! Tell me what is happening?

 

The rush to get to the entrance to Jericho changed time and hours, and the beggar was sitting in agony next to the elevation that guarded the city, when a boy answered him:

 

-It's Jesus! The Nazarene!

 

Emotion invaded the heart of that poor man who lived on the social margins. He could not see the Master, but he knew of his benevolence and cures, at the same time that he felt his presence in the midst of that hurried crowd. He spared no effort and cried out.

 

-Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

And he repeated in a loud voice:

 

-Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

The crowd, passing by, did not give them any credibility, cunning people and with jokes, said:

 

-Shut up, old man, he won't even listen to you.

 

Tears rolled down from those closed eyes that had never seen the color of the sun, the brightness of butterflies, or the smile of any child. This is how the beggar insisted, sitting and leaning against the wall of Jericho with his legs crossed, inhaling the dust left by the tracks of so many people who followed the Lord. Without caring, even though it was late, he shouted and shouted.

 

--Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

--Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

--Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

The wind at that moment blew strongly toward Jesus, carrying the ardent and fervent plea of ​​that poor blind man through the crowd. For, in that crowd that prevented any call from being heard, the breeze had penetrated among the hundreds of people who followed in the footsteps of Our Lord. The tearful acclamation of the blind man in agony was noticeable, as he cried out for the name of the Messiah. At that moment, he stopped and Jesus looked around and did not see the one who was protesting so much for his name. And it was in that place, with so many people around him, that Jesus asked them to bring him.

 

In a few minutes, the beggar was taken to the presence of the King of the Jews, passing through the crowd tightly, at which point Jesus asked them, in his soft voice, overflowing with wisdom:

 

-What do you want me to do for you?

 

With tears streaming from his closed eyes, the blind beggar answered:

 

-Lord, that I may see.

 

Looking intently at the blind man, a luminous beam of blue, orange and invisible color came out of his eyes, in the form of very fine rays. He raised his right hand gently and adorned by that heart that beat in the splendor of mercy that saw nothing, only felt the adherence of his voice. And Jesus said to them:

 

-See; your faith has saved you.

 

The Lord, looking into Zacchaeus' eyes, said:

 

-Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

It is clear that Jesus transformed Zacchaeus' life into the best seed of his kingdom, while the crowd waited for the Messiah, while he walked and stopped to tell them parables, and without delay, they arrived at the village of Bethphage, and hurrying along, they headed to Bethany, a small town behind the Mount of Olives, only two miles from Jerusalem. There in the village, the Master wanted to rest in that place, where he felt at ease, because it was the village of Bethany where Lazarus, whom he loved and who had been resurrected a few days earlier, was located, so much so that Bethany was the center of faith for the proclamation of this miracle, and the search for Lazarus did not stop. Seeing the beloved Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha, without forgetting that they were special people for the Nazarene.

 

The apostles talked and ate at the house of Lazarus' sisters, and welcomed visitors from other places, including hundreds of pilgrims from Jerusalem, while Martha, Lazarus' sister, provided a place to stay especially for Jesus to rest, and he went to rest, at which point the two sisters retired and talked a little apart.

 

-Martha! Don't you see the Lord's face? Tired and worn?

 

-Yes. I see and feel that there is sadness in his eyes. When I hugged him when he arrived, I was overcome with great pain; something tells me that this is his last visit to our house.

 

-It's true. I also feel from his words and gestures that something bad will happen to them. Martha! What can we do to avoid the worst.

 

It was late. Jesus had woken up and talked to the apostles. With a broad and cheerful smile, he dispelled any premonition from the eyes of Lazarus' sisters. And from there, Jesus could see the Mount of Olives, which marked the main entrance to Jerusalem, the place where the Master preached his prayers and teachings. It was there, the Sacred Mount, where he often maintained peace, sharing his word with the Father, climbing that mountain many times from where he could see the temple and the entire aerial view of the cities and villages. Finally, it was the Mount of Olives, the place where the Son of Man opened the sky as if he were tearing a garment with a sword to speak and pray the invocations of all his strengths and weaknesses as a man.

 

Continuing his journey, he opened the way to Jerusalem for the great feast of Passover, and people began to gather and accompany him in his greatest celebrity. At every moment, the Man of Nazareth looked back and felt the strength of those people who never tired. There, before his eyes was his divine strength, the redemption that came from the eyes of Christ, the only Son of God made Man, who had been sought and hunted to death since his birth. Walking and following in his silent footsteps, the crowd did not abandon him, there were thousands and thousands of people from the most distant regions of Judea. Jesus looked around, rested and told his parables, and so many old people, children, young people, paralyzed, sick, blind and sick with their illnesses crossed the gorge covered in dust and sand raised by the strength of their feet with firm and sure steps, in addition to the countless stones and boulders thrown to the ground. The apostles, his true brothers in faith, did not leave him. Among several strong men who accompanied him, they asked the apostles to carry Jesus, since his feet were burning in the intense heat, however, the Son of God renounced such help, demonstrating to those present that the path to man's salvation is one of sacrifice and benevolence.

 

In front of that ravine next to the mountain, there was a true army of Christ, the largest and most realistic of all the Roman power in greater Judea. There was no way to count, no way to enumerate the humanitarian gestures on the way to Jerusalem. Walking, there passed the Messiah, the beautiful, the magnificent, the merciful, the only heir to the throne of King David.

 

In that walk, one could see the face of Jesus, calm, serene, clear and peaceful, and sometimes worried, with his heart beating in the cadence of the greatest crusader of humanitarian passions. Jesus knew that he was approaching his greatest glory before the people and could no longer avoid the declaration of his reign and all its publicity.

 

The greatest symbol of man who ever lived on earth, even if there are some writers among today's men of little faith, does not undo the life and paths of his personality before men themselves, and his eternity will never be defeated by certain writings and texts that try to erase his preaching and rebirth of the love of God made man of flesh on earth. Undertaking the hard walk over the rocks, Master Jesus tirelessly did not give up on the objectives that were determined, despite the sadness that rebounded in his mind and spread across his eyes when he saw that the same crowd that accompanied him in protection would be undone between the divine power and the power of men. Upon reaching the top of the Mount of Olives, Jesus sat down and the apostles tried to calm the great crowd. At that moment, a sudden weakness fell upon his legs, and the Son of Man did not give up in the name of the glory of God and for the mercy of his people. That large escort sat in the trees while Jesus called two disciples who immediately showed up. They asked, ready to help:

 

-Yes, Master, what can I do for you?

 

Jesus, still tired, looked around and said to them:

 

-Go to the village that is opposite you; and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it to me. And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?', tell him that the Lord needs it, and he will immediately let him come here.

 

The nearest place to where the Nazarene was was the village of Bethany, to which the disciples headed, finding the colt tied outside the gate where two roads passed. When the owner saw the disciples untying his animal, he said:

 

-What are you doing, untying the colt?

 

But they told them as Jesus had told them, and they let them go.

 

It was about three o'clock in the afternoon when the two apostles arrived with the colt on the Mount of Olives, and Jesus knew that the appointed time, as the Holy Scriptures had said, was fast approaching. However, melancholy and sadness insisted on encompassing his efforts, and feeling numbness in his legs, he sat on the colt that was covered with a blue blanket with several sparkling stars in the color of gold, piled high with various garments of the apostles.

 

The sun in its declining position was shining in yellow and orange tones in the direction of Jerusalem, opening up the path of the King of the Jews with intensity. And so, he assumed in his heart and unintentionally in his will from his father that he was already prepared to enter the eternal city with his people.

 

The countenance of Jesus transmitted an extreme range of vivacity in that great human chain positioned in front of him. The women, men and elders prepared the path where the greatest Man of humanity would pass, throwing flowers, leaves and green branches adorned in the most diverse colors on the ground. There, was the true army of God, the greatest escort of the Son of Man ever seen in all humanity. It is worth noting that no army, no matter how armed, that existed on the face of the earth would be capable of confronting him on that journey of God.

 

The people, from all walks of life, headed down the Holy Mountain. Boys and girls climbed the tops of the palm trees and removed their straw, others climbed the trees and broke them, accompanied by a vast crowd, and others cut the branches and made beautiful flower arrangements. The sky became bluer, with the Star of David triumphing in the center, with sparkles on its six points that could be seen from anywhere in the world. An army of angels opened the heavens behind small white clouds that looked like cotton wool, and their golden-colored trumpets sounded in the four corners of Jerusalem and throughout Judea, announcing the passage of the Messiah. This last time, the Messiah would enter through the main gates of the great Jerusalem as a King, just as the Holy Scriptures declared. “just and safe, lowly, and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). And the people watched the poor man Jesus riding his donkey, parading in magical steps, with a circular aura around his head that dazzled the eyes and bent the minds of the powerful. This was the gigantic divine proclamation of the King of the Jews, King of all Kings.

 

With every inch covered, the Prince rode masterfully on top of that docile animal, passing in front of the residence of a very rich Roman citizen who was chasing Jesus of Nazareth to kill him. Upon seeing such a large covering of a human sheet entering the main street of Jerusalem, he ran inside his house, grabbed several gold chains and bracelets, and presented himself to the King of the Jews, rejoicing in his glory and placing all his wealth on the donkey's hooves, and tears fell from his eyes. The Messiah, Son of God, slowly raised his right hand and extended it towards the Roman citizen, and his eyes were filled with gratitude for the multitude of requests and cures. Women raised their children in the presence of the Almighty, while others tried to observe the work of the Son of God from the branches of the trees. The ground of the narrow streets of Jerusalem was all colored with flowers and green branches. Even the Sanhedrin and the entire Roman Guard remained silent before the true Son of God who passed calmly through those narrow streets and was acclaimed as King. Soon, the residents of Bethany, Jericho, and other villages could be seen glorifying Jesus in his humility.

 

The Jewish people, filled with so much hope and suffering, believed that by making the Messiah King of the Jews he could wage war against the Romans, impose order and expel with his divine power the atrocities committed by the authorities, giving them freedom, nationality and a form of new social policies. Many did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, but they wanted to see the foundations of a just society restored, disconcerting the Roman principles imposed on those people. However, those Jewish people did not understand their prophecy of faith, they thought that the Messiah, the Nazarene, would take the kingdom and government, giving the people freedom and grace.

 

In truth, Jesus knew that he could not take any kingdom of Judea, much less impose a reign to the liking of that multitude, since his reign conveyed a profession of faith and mercy with a just mission to save human souls and to be the eternal Redeemer of humanity as described in the words of the Scriptures. Notably, the Jewish people understood that by making Jesus Christ their King, it would be possible to overthrow the powers that governed the entire nation and its oppressors.

 

A few days earlier, in the village of Bethany, as I said later, the Messiah had performed the greatest and most extraordinary miracle by raising Lazarus from the dead four days earlier from a tomb. Note that the miracle resulted in the most unexpected event in all of Judea, with witnesses seen by the people.

 

Voices echoed and palm leaves and branches were thrown wherever the triumphant Jesus passed and everyone exclaimed:

 

"Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the kingdom of our father David, blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!"

 

And all the people acclaimed him as the King of Israel, the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of David who had reigned over the twelve tribes of Israel a thousand years before, and God had promised that his throne would be eternal. It was the greatest festival and the city was completely shaken by the celebration of Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee, the triumph for all eternity.

 

The Pharisee Nicodemus lived in the first century, at the same time as Jesus Christ. He was part of the Sanhedrin, a teacher of the Law (an association of Jewish judges), and defended Jesus Christ among his peers on several occasions. In fact, Nicodemus, a generous, respected and very rich man, visited Jesus secretly at night and asked the following question:

 

--Teacher, we know that you are a teacher from God, for no one can perform the miraculous signs that you are doing unless God is with him?

 

In response, Jesus declared the following:

 

--I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.

 

Nicodemus asked again:

 

--How can someone be born when they are old? Of course they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb and be born again!

 

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it pleases. You hear it, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. This is how it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus, dissatisfied, asked, “How can this be?” Jesus replied, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, and yet you do not accept our testimony. I have told you earthly things and you do not believe; how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ever ascended to heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.” Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

 

Joseph of Arimathea was considered a righteous man, very rich, respected, a businessman and owner of the only fleet of ships. Known for being from Arimathea, he was a senator and member of the Sanhedrin, one of the highest Jewish magistracy colleges. He was a personal friend of Jesus and a secret disciple, since the Jews could not even dream of such friendship. In addition to being a secret disciple of the master.

 

Joseph Caiaphas was a Sadducee and Jewish high priest, son-in-law of the high priest Annas and considered a great enemy of Jesus.

 

Not content with the preaching of Jesus Christ and his ways, he ordered the Temple guard to call Barabbas in absolute secret. Responding to the call, the murderer and thief Barabbas went to meet the high priest Caiaphas in a completely secret location. In the aforementioned secret meeting, Caiaphas offers Barabbas 50 pieces of silver to assassinate Jesus Christ. Barabbas refuses to carry out such an investiture, saying the following:

 

-I am a criminal, I and my people are incapable of killing the prophet, the son of God. I am responsible for the riots in the city, murders and robberies. But I would never do anything to take the life of the prophet. I do not know who is the greater criminal: Barabbas or the Sanhedrin?

 

Caiaphas said angrily:

 

- Forget what I said. I only asked because you are a murderer and a criminal. And there are many requests for your arrest. Forget what I said.

 

ON THE ILLEGAL ARREST OF JESUS ​​CHRIST

 

After Jesus finished the Last Supper, He left with His disciples for the Mount of Olives, on the other side of the Kidron stream, and arrived with the Apostles at the place called Gethsemane. In fact, Judas, the traitor, knew very well the place where Jesus was arrested.

 

In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ suffers and feels pain, to the point of shedding blood, Luke 22:44. It turns out that on several occasions, Jesus Christ used to go with the Apostles. Feeling the need to pray, He called Peter, James and John to accompany Him and keep watch over the place.

 

He asked the others to wait seated.

 

And it was not long before Jesus said:

 

-I am mortally sad. Stay here and keep watch.

 

With an unbearable pain, Jesus Christ knelt down and cried out to his father.

 

-Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. And let not what I want, but what you want be done.

 

In the midst of his agony, an angel from heaven came down and approached Jesus and strengthened him. But the pain and agony were so intense that Jesus prayed even louder and more firmly. His body was sweating blood that fell in drops to the ground. When he approached the Apostles, who were sleeping, Jesus said:

 

-Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation.

 

It is known that Jesus Christ returned to the Apostles three times, and on all three occasions he found them very sleepy, until it was too late:

 

Jesus said:

 

-Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come! See, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! He who betrays me is coming.” While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs.

 

With a kiss on Jesus’ cheek, Judas betrayed the Lord, who was arrested while the disciples abandoned him and fled.

 

Judas was giving orders to some Roman soldiers and a group of temple guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees to capture the Master. They were armed and carried lanterns and torches. Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he took a few steps forward and asked:

 

At nine o'clock in the evening of that day, an inappropriate time to make an arrest without a warrant, they went to the cave. Jesus Christ, observing everything, said: "Who are you looking for?" They answered: "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said: "I am!" Judas Iscariot, the traitor, was standing there with them. When Jesus said to them: "I am," they walked away and fell to the ground. Then Jesus asked them again: "Who are you looking for?" And they answered: "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them: "I have already told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go." Jesus said this so that what he had said before would happen: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." Simon Peter had a sword with him. He took it off and attacked the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter,

 

-Put your sword away! I must drink from the cup of suffering that my Father has given me.

 

Faced with this suffering, the Roman soldiers, together with their commander and the temple guards, arrested Jesus and tied his hands behind his back like a criminal. In an inhumane manner, they first took him to Annas, Caiaphas' father-in-law, who was the high priest that year. While Annas was interrogating Jesus, Caiaphas had time to gather the Sanhedrin, whose court was made up of 71 members, including the high priest and former high priests. Annas asked Jesus: Where are your disciples, and what teachings do they use? Jesus simply said: I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together, and I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me questions? Ask those who have heard what I have said to them. - John 18:19-21. At that very moment, Jesus was slapped in the face, and a guard who was there rebuked Jesus:

 

-Is that how you answer the high priest?

 

Jesus knows that he has done nothing wrong. That is why he says:

 

-If I said something wrong, tell me what I said wrong; but if what I said was right, why do you strike me?

 

Then Annas sends him to Caiaphas, his son-in-law. By this time, all the members of the Sanhedrin—the current high priest, the elders of the people, and the scribes—have gathered at Caiaphas’ house. It is illegal to hold such a trial on Passover night, but that does not stop them from going ahead with their wicked plot.

 

This group is far from impartial. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Sanhedrin decided that Jesus should die. (John 11:47-53) And it was not many days before the religious authorities conspired to arrest and kill Jesus. (Matthew 26:3, 4) In fact, it is as if Jesus were already condemned to death before the trial even began.

 

In addition to holding this illegal and immoral meeting, the chief priests and others in the Sanhedrin try to find witnesses in order to gather evidence to support their accusations against Jesus. They find many, but their testimony is contradictory. Finally, two come forward and state:

 

“We heard him say, ‘I will tear down this temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another not made with human hands.’” (Mark 14:58) However, these men do not agree on everything.

 

Caiaphas asks Jesus:

 

“Do you say nothing in reply? What do you say about the testimony of these men against you?”

 

Jesus remains silent in the face of the false accusation made by contradicting witnesses. Then the high priest Caiaphas changes tactics. Caiaphas knows that claiming to be the Son of God is a sensitive subject for the Jews. Earlier, when Jesus called God his Father, the Jews wanted to kill him, claiming that Jesus was “making himself equal with God.” (John 5:17, 18; 10:31-39) Knowing how the Jews feel about this, Caiaphas shrewdly demands of Jesus: “By the living God, I put you under oath to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God!” Of course, Jesus has already admitted that he is the Son of God. (John 3:18; 5:25; 11:4) So if he does not answer now, it could be interpreted as his denying that he is the Son of God and the Christ. Therefore he says, “I am; and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” —Mark 14:62.

 

Being dramatic, Caiaphas tears his clothes and says,

 

-He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses?

 

Look! Now you have heard the blasphemy. What is your opinion?

 

The Sanhedrin decrees the unjust sentence: “He deserves to die.” —Matthew 26:65, 66.

 

It was already past midnight, and they began to mock Jesus and beat him. Others slapped him and spit in his face. After covering his face and striking him, they said sarcastically:

 

-Prophesy! Who struck you? (Luke 22:64)

 

Thus, the Son of God was mistreated and humiliated in a totally illegal trial in the middle of the night. Caiaphas’ wickedness had been instrumental in the crucifixion of Jesus, and he also claimed that Jesus had committed the crime of blasphemy, claiming that Jesus had declared himself to be the Son of God.

Later, Caiaphas and the other religious leaders handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, in the hope that he would be crucified. Caiaphas also claimed that Jesus was a danger to Rome because he claimed to be the “King of the Jews.”

 

Conviction and Death Jesus' treatment by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin was unjust, immoral, reprehensible and biased.

 

Only two disciples followed in the footsteps of their master Jesus. The other disciple knew the high priest and, therefore, was able to enter with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest's house. Peter had to stay outside, near the door. So, the disciple who was known to the high priest went to speak to the servant girl who was guarding the door, and she let Peter in. Then the servant girl who was guarding the door asked Peter:

 

-Aren't you also one of Jesus' disciples?

 

Peter answered:

 

-No, I am not!

 

Simon Peter was still there, warming himself by the fire. Then they asked him, "Aren't you one of this man's disciples?" Peter denied it and said, "I am not." One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Weren't you the one I saw in the garden with him?" Peter denied it again. Just then a rooster crowed. After this, they took Jesus from Caiaphas' house to the Roman governor's palace. It was already early in the morning. But the Jews did not go into the palace, because they wanted to remain pure so they could eat the Passover meal. So Pilate went outside and asked them, "What do you accuse this man of?" They answered, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have brought him to you." Then Pilate said to the Jews,

 

“Why don’t you take him and judge him yourselves according to your law?”

 

They replied,

 

“Our law does not allow anyone to be put to death.”

 

This happened so that what Jesus had said about the way he would die might be fulfilled.)

Then Pilate went back into the palace, summoned Jesus, and asked him,

 

“Are you the king of the Jews?”

 

Jesus answered,

 

“Are you asking this question yourself, or did others tell you about me?”

 

Pilate answered,

 

“Do you think I am a Jew? I am not! Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?”

 

Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were of this world, my servants would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. My kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You are saying that I am a king. It was to speak the truth that I was born, and it was for this reason that I came into the world. All who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” Pilate asked, “What is truth?” After saying this, he went back to the Jews and said to them, “I find no reason to condemn this man. Since it is your custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover, do you want me to release the “King of the Jews”?” They began to shout, “No, not him. Release Barabbas!”

 

Barabbas was a criminal and a bloodthirsty man.

 

As we know, Christ was subjected to inhumane, brutal, insane and excessive treatment. The gospels show all of this in some texts: Matthew 27:26; Luke 23:16, 22; John 19:1. It is clear that Pontius Pilate was a governor of Judea, even though he could not find any excuse to arrest Jesus: And wishing to please the people, he released the criminal Barabbas, as they had requested. Then he ordered Jesus to be flogged and handed him over to be crucified.

 

It is noteworthy that Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy businessman and respected member of the Sanhedrin and a secret disciple of Jesus, could not bear to see the Nazarene condemned, and went to Pontius Pilate. Nearing the palace of the Roman governor, Joseph of Arimathea looks and thinks:

 

-I can't ask for anything, I'm from the Sanhedrin, the people will complicate my life. Despite not having agreed with the condemnation of Jesus by the Sanhedrin.

 

It wasn't long before Claudia, the wife of the Roman governor, sent a message to her husband asking him not to do anything to the man from Nazareth, because he was innocent.

 

Pontius Pilate called his wife and said:

 

-I can't do anything, society and the Jews want him dead. I want to avoid a rebellion among the Jews at all costs.

 

Claudia Procula, the wife of the governor, claims to have had a very bad dream, however, she claims that the local social segment was very troubled. It is true that her intercession was unsuccessful in saving Jesus from crucifixion.

 

A difficult situation for Jesus Christ, since Peter, the disciple, denied the Master three times; Simon of Cyrene, wanting to know what was happening. He is forced to help Jesus carry the cross; Veronica, who wipes his bloody face, whose image is imprinted on the towel; the Roman soldiers, who are in charge of crucifying Jesus, and who do so with all brutality and cowardice.

 

What caught people's attention the most was Pontius Pilate, the Roman authority in Palestine at the time of Jesus. He washed his hands, demonstrating a great irresponsible omission of not being to blame for the condemnation of Jesus.

 

However, the 14 Stations on the Via Dolorosa are the maximum reproduction of Jesus' suffering and most painful in the 4th Station where Jesus meets his mother who watches everything in tears and weeping.

 

A great legion of angels was already roaming that night during his imprisonment, observing the life and steps of the Nazarene. The celestial universe watched with resentment the mistreatment, whippings and all the flagellations. One of the angels, witnessing the horrible scene, drew his sword and shouted to the other angels who were ready on their horses:

 

-I do not accept humanity spitting in the face and striking my Father, my Most Holy Creator of earth and heaven. With just one blow of my sword, I will throw human heads to the ground. Forward!

 

Another angel of a higher position said the following:

 

-Compose yourselves! You will do nothing until there are express orders.

 

The Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross

 

And there was darkness over all the land from noon until three in the afternoon. About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice:

 

-Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?, which means the following: -My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me?

 

When some of the Roman soldiers who were there heard this, they said,

 

“He is calling for Elijah.”

 

A certain Roman ran and got a sponge, soaked it in sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to Jesus to drink. But the others said,

 

“Leave him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come and save him.”

 

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit to the Father. And at that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split. The sun stopped shining, and the whole land was darkened. The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised.

 

And after Jesus had risen from the tombs, they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and cried out:

 

- Truly this was the Son of God!

 

Many women were there, watching from a distance, since the centurion did not allow anyone outside his family to be near the cross. It is known that they had followed Jesus from Galilee, to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James and Joseph; and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Leaning against a rock, Lazarus wept, mourning the loss of his only friend and the great savior of his life.

 

Jesus cried out in a loud voice:

 

-Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Having said this, he breathed his last.

 

When the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God, saying:

 

-Surely this man was righteous.

 

And all the people who had gathered to witness what was happening, when they saw it, began to beat their breasts and to go away.

 

Without delay, Joseph of Arimathea hurriedly went to Pontius Pilate's palace and begged for Jesus' body:

 

-Lord Governor of Judah, I come here humbly to ask that Your Excellency release and hand over the body of Jesus who died on the cross. He deserves a just and honorable burial. The tomb in which the Nazarene will lie is mine for private use, carved into the rock in the garden, and is about thirty meters from the crucifixion.

 

Governor Pontius Pilate said:

 

-I am surprised to learn that he is already dead. Before I hand over the body, I need to know if he is dead.

 

At that moment, Pontius Pilate called the Centurion, who confirmed it. However, the governor only allowed it after the centurion went to the place of crucifixion. In any case, the governor was shocked by this situation, since Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, and at the same time, they asked for the release of Barabbas.

 

Immediately, a Roman soldier pierced Jesus' side with a spear. He is recognized as Saint Longinus, and is mentioned in the Gospel of John (John 19:31-34). Following orders, the soldier Longinus assured the Centurion of Jesus' death. It is known that the soldier pierced Jesus' right side with a spear, from which blood and water flowed. And that Jesus' blood fell into the soldier's eyes, curing him of blindness, and that he converted and became a martyr.

 

Arimathea said that he had always had the greatest respect and affection for Jesus, despite being a secret disciple of the Nazarene. And that he was against the crucifixion of the Nazarene by the Sanhedrin. Given this, the request was made out of respect for Jewish law, which forbids bodies from being exposed after death. Pontius Pilate granted the request, and Joseph of Arimathea, together with Nicodemus, arranged for the removal of Jesus' body from the cross.

 

Joseph of Arimathea bought the most expensive linen shroud and, taking it off, wrapped it in the linen shroud and laid it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

 

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.” (Mark 15:43-47).. With Arimathea was Nicodemus, the man who had gone to talk to Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought about 35 liters of perfumed oil made with myrrh and aloes to perfume Jesus’ body.

 

Legend has it that when Jesus was 6 years old, he would play at the door of his house. And that at a certain point, next to his father Joseph’s work, he had made a row of several birds out of clay. A man who was sure to step on Jesus’ toys hurriedly blew, knocking. The birds came to life and flew around that place. When Jesus died on the cross, the swallows, with their beaks, removed the thorns from Jesus’ crown of thorns on Calvary, thus, these birds became the birds of mourning and protection, always guarding the churches and sacred places.

 

It is known that after the removal of Jesus’ body, Joseph Joseph of Arimathea was arrested for following the doctrine of the Nazarene. He remained imprisoned in England for many years, but was freed by the resurrected Lord. Caiaphas wanted him to remain imprisoned until he died, but since Joseph was very clever when it came to lucrative business, the governor, later Pontius Pilate, talked to the members of the Sanhedrin and convinced them to release him, hoping for the profits he would bring. It is known that Joseph of Arimathea had in his hands the sacred chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper. When he was freed by our Lord Jesus, he went to the city of France and gave it to Mary Magdalene so that she could hide the Sacred Chalice of the Last Supper, and the very miraculous Holy Grail.

 

And in this way, Jesus Christ died for humanity, filling hearts with mercy and blessing all of God's children. Innocent and sacrificing his life, he took away the sins of men and strengthened humanity, resurrecting on the third day for the glory of all humans.