Just One Week Before...
In this study, we'll "visit" one of my favorite places (are you picking up a pattern here?) Turn to Matthew 26...
In this study, we'll "visit" one of my favorite places (are you picking up a pattern here?) Turn to Matthew 26...
Your Personal Bible Study: The week before we leave for Israel…
"Lead Me to Calvary" - Looking at Events of the Crucifixion
Open your Trip Bible to Matthew 26:57- 28:10. Mark this section, and highlight other verses in this study. AND, if you haven't already, read the brief studies by clicking on the "Paths In the Word" tab above...
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OK, we're clear for takeoff. Fasten your seat belt and here we go...
Those who are going with us will be blessed in so many ways and so many places.
One high point, near the end of our trip, will be sharing the Lord’s Supper at the
Garden Tomb - against the rock backdrop of "Skull Hill, Golgotha, Calvary."
One of my favorite old hymns was usually sung at Communion time...
King of my life I crown Thee now. Thine shall the glory be.
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary...
A. The Cross (Matthew 26:57- 27:56)
First there were those trumped-up trials (26:57-27:26)
1. Trial before the Sanhedrin (26:57-75)
Peter denied Jesus during the time the Master was appearing before Jewish leaders in the house of the
Hith Priest Caiphas (it's known in Jerusalem as "St. Peter Gallicantu.") Peter had followed at a distance,
but when directly confronted, he denied his Lord. As Jesus had said, the rooster crowing marked his
denials. When we're there, look for the bronze rooster...and listen for what else took place there.
2. Trial before Pilate (27:11-26)
Although the exact location is uncertain, tradition says that Jesus appeared before Pilate in the
Fortress of Antonia rising above the northwestern edge of the temple.
(From here Jesus began His long walk to Golgotha, "The place of the skull.")
Then that awful torture (27:27-31)
Roman authorities flogged Jesus (v. 26), a lashing so severe that prisoners sometimes died from this punishment alone - even before being crucified. (Not wanting to overstep what was lawful, Jews had placed a limit of 39 lashes on those they punished in this way, but the Romans had no such limits!)
After the flogging, Jesus was stripped, mocked, spat on, and beaten over the head with a staff.
All this in "preparation" for the next step…
Finally the crucifixion itself (27:32-56)
1. Jesus' journey to Golgotha (27:32-44)
Jesus carried the horizontal beam of the cross until, weakened by His prior flogging, He collapsed.
The Roman soldiers forced a passerby to carry it the rest of the way to Skull Hill.
Then during the crucifixion, uprignt on the cross, Jesus in great pain could watch soldiers gambling for His
clothes, religious leaders mocking His death, and two thieves sharing His dreaded fate.
2. Jesus' death on the cross (27:45-56)
Crucifixion was a lengthy, torturous death. Displayed in public, this form of execution was a powerful
deterrent to crime, and to rebellion against the Roman rule.
But Jesus' death was different. In paying the price for humanity's sin, Jesus "gave up his spirit" as a willing
act of sacrifice! We all know He did not die from the beating or even the crucifixion. As He had said,
"I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me but I lay it down of my own
accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again" (John 10:17-18).
His perfect sinless life, his agonizing death, his shed blood was his awesome gift - for us!
B. The Grave (Matthew 27:57-66)
The burial at the tomb (27:57-61)
1. Joseph of Arimethea boldly requested the body of Jesus (vv. 57-58)
2. Joseph placed Jesus' body in his own new tomb (vv. 59-61)
In a "coincidence" prepared by God, Joseph's new tomb had been chiseled out in the same area
where Jesus was crucified. According to John's Gospel,
"At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb,
in which no one had ever been laid." (John 19:41).
The guarding of the tomb (27:62-66)
1. The request came from religious leaders who had remembered Jesus' words (vv. 62-64)
2. The order came from Pilate and was carried out by his experienced soldiers (vv. 65-66).
Their careers, and even their lives depended on properly guarding the tomb from any tampering.
The theory that the disciples of Jesus stole His body contradicts this key fact: Jesus' tomb was sealed
and under professional Roman guard. Frightened disciples would have been no match for experienced
soldiers. Think of it. God actually put the tomb under protective Roman custody to validate the truth of the
Resurrection – for all people, for all time!
C. The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-10)
The opening of the tomb (28:1-4)
The announcement to the women (28:5-10)
1. Jesus is risen
2. The tomb is empty
3. You will see Him
The Bottom Line:
Hallelujah! God's "good news" is simple and it is profound! The good news is that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures. His death was validated by His burial. He was raised on the third day according
to the Scriptures. His resurrection was verified by several public appearances - to His disciples and others.
Paul declares that this is the "good news" that he preached and by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). During our visit to Jerusalem, we stand at the Antonia Fortress, walk the Via Dolorosa, commune at the place of the Skull, and actually step into the empty "garden tomb."
As you do, remember that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again for you. THAT’s the best “good news” ever!!
“…Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony.
Lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary!”
Please pray that our pilgrimage will bless all our passengers – drawing each of us closer to the risen Savior! If you are going on this tour, we’ll see you Monday morning! If you're not, perhaps you can join us next time.
If you have any questions about a trip to the Bible Lands, the Bible, or about our ministry, please contact us!
If you'd like to know about our awesome Savior and how to find a relationship with Him, please contact us! Have a blessed day - and Shalom! - David & Marilyn
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I hope you’ve enjoyed these Bible Studies including some material I’ve adapted from:
The Christian Traveler's Guide to the Holy Land by Charles Dyer and Gregory Hatterberg
Broadman & Holman Publishers; Nashville, TN 1998