The Plan
By: Vince Inigo
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We all know this story of Jesus’ way to the cross-His agony, his sufferings, and his resurrection. In addition, this was also his way to betrayal, accusation, forgiveness and salvation.
It was a Friday morning when he was bound and arrested by the soldiers, holding swords and clubs and on horse-back, after receiving the kiss from Judas, the betrayer. It was that very same day that he was brought to Caiaphas, the High Priest, who asked Him questions. But the prisoner, who is very innocent-looking, remained silent.
Caiaphas said: “In the name of the living God, I command you to tell us: Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?” The son of Man answered “It is what you have said.” “He has blasphemed! You heard Him say His false words! Now, what is your decision?” Caiaphas tore the prisoners cloak and threw him to the crowd as if He was an animal. There, He received the slaps and fists and spits of people beating Him to death.
The prisoner was brought to the governor, Pontius Pilate. In front of him, he received the bleeding man, kneeling and begging for his mercy. The leader brought out another prisoner named Barrabas for it was a custom during Passover to release a prisoner chosen by the masses.
Pilate started: “Now, who do you want me to release?” “Release Barrabas!” the crowd answered. “Why, I do not see evil in this man?” asked Pilate before he continued “What do you want me to do with the one whom you call the Messiah?” The crowd cheered “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Then, the request was granted for the people are after Jesus’ death. The Man who they believed blasphemous is truly the Son of God.
Pilate asked for water to wash his hands and said “I am not responsible for His blood. It is your doing.”
The Christ was sent to the pillar where he was scourged. Every whip He takes is equal to how we offended him sinfully. I was astonished the time I saw Him receive his first whips. One-Lust! Two-Gluttony! Three-Avarice! Four-Envy, Fraud, Pride, Theft, Murder, Tyranny, Adultery, Usury, Blasphemy, Hypocrisy, Anger, Sloth and many more. Each of the weapons used pierced through his flesh, shedding blood on the floor, leaving no track of kindness.
I followed the crowd looking at Jesus in the governor’s palace called the praetorium. There, the soldiers stripped Him and dressed him in a purple cloak, gave him a reed and crowned him with thorns. A crown which is a symbol of our curses to other people. This was also the place where he was mocked by Roman soldiers bowing to Him, saluting Him and saying: “Long live the King of the Jews!” as they grabbed the reed and hit it on His head. My tears fell seeing the Son of man feeling every thorn lacerating his head and puncturing his skull.
The soldiers put back His clothes and led the way to His crucifixion. I decided to follow Him once again and to watch with the crowd. A bystander named Simon from Cyrene was pulled from the group of people and he helped Jesus carry his cross. I can feel their sufferings especially to the Man who fell three times on His way and refused to take the bitter wine offered to Him.
Everyone rushed to see how this Man suffers, how this Man dies, how this Man’s body tears apart. I went to that hilly place and saw women weeping in misery and soldiers crucifying all the thieves. But this one Good Man, Jesus Christ, who’s now resting on His cross, is crying in pain, feeling every layer of his flesh punctured and torn by nails that were the size of two fingers in diameter installed in His pulses. I saw his right hand, so as his left hand which turned numb because of the numerous hits of the hammer. His shoulders were broken, and both his feet were indeed nailed on top of one another. And on his head an inscription which says “IOSVS NAZARENVS REX IODAEORVM"
I pity the Man so I called God and prayed “Lord, why did you let your Son be crucified? Why did you turn him over to us who have sinned so much?” Then God answered “Son, it has all been planned for you and for the salvation of everyone.” Then darkness fell at the exact time of three o’clock. And Jesus who is in Calvary looked up and said His final word, "Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit."
