The Passion and its Cast.

Yesterday was the day we took to remember Easter, that is, Jesus' triumph over sin and death. Friday, we remembered the Crucifixion.

In reviewing the account of His trial and crucifixion, I thought about the different players in the story.

The rabble. Those who hailed Jesus as King scant days earlier, not only called for His criminal sentencing, but they even demanded an execution in the most barbarous and degrading method available. They have history's dubious distinction of claiming responsibility for this overthrow of justice.

The Religious leaders. They knew the law, and were bound by such parts as were convenient to them. They were motivated, the Bible says, by envy. They bought Judas' betrayal for 30 pieces of silver, yet were too scrupulous to receive blood money into the treasury. (It was THEY who paid said blood money!) When Judas went to them with his conscience stricken, they blew him off and tried to distance themselves from his (their) murderous guilt.

Pilate. He had already had a tumultuous time as leader. He had been reigned in by Caesar for his over-use of force. Luke 13 makes reference to this. Now he found himself on the edge of another riot. The rabble were clamouring for Jesus' head. His wife claimed to have had a prophetic dream. As a legislator, he did not have enough evidence to convict of guilt. As a politician, he was under the shadow of Caesar, by whose name he was threatened. With a too-familiar tactic of public officials, he made the politically-expedient decision, and washed his hands of the personal, moral responsibility of his decision.

Herod. The petty tyrant. He had an idle curiosity towards Jesus, the way one might harbour a mild interest in a 2-headed calf. He wanted to see Jesus, but took no efforts to meet with Him in 3 1/2 years. When it became clear that Jesus wasn't another side-show act that would perform on cue, like a jester, dancer, or fire-eater, Herod became hostile. Notice Herod went from greatly pleased to mocking. Jesus did not conform to Herods' desires and expectations, so, childishly, Herod turned on Him.

Peter. Full of bluster and bravado. I'm not like the others. They may fail you, but I will not. His loyalty evaporated under the threat of association with Jesus and His sufferings. His later life was different, but at that moment, Peter -- and ALL the other disciples, too -- bravely ran away.

The other disciples' reaction was so vanilla that it barely rated this footnote: they fled.

Judas Iscariot. Used a kiss to betray Jesus to the leaders for some money he'd never spend. He committed suicide, and was dead even before the resurrection.

Barrabas. Known murderer. Best known for being set free in the process of condemning Jesus.

The Roman soldiers, just doing their job.

Two Thieves crucified with Jesus. They had both mocked Jesus. (One later realized his error, and asked Jesus to remember Him in His Kingdom.)

Look over this list for a moment, and compare the people in it to the following verse.

This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him, //We shall also live with Him.
If we endure, // We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him, // He also will deny us.
If we are faithless, // He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. - 2 Tim 2:11-13 (empahsis mine)

Nobody in that story was faithful, and upright, and noble in the crucifixion. (Except Jesus)

Weasels and petty kings, jealous religious leaders, and popular-opinion-obeying crowds, mercenaries and murderers, thieves and cowards and absentee friends all played their parts in this drama. And, somewhere in that list, you will find your reflection -- and mine.

In stark contrast, stands Jesus.

The King of Glory, abused and shamed by his own creation.
The Great physician, broken and bleeding.
The Prince of Peace being in His person the chastisement of our peace.

We are all in equal need of the grace of God.

Romans in chapters 3 & 4, portrays each of us as guilty before God.
This negates any temptation we may have to say to God "you owe me!" It similarity negates any "I'm better than him" boasting. (The true intent, I believe, of the boasting reference in this passage.)

If, then, as we mark this Easter, you find yourself a participant in His New Life, be grateful. Rejoice!

Whatever else can go wrong in your life, it cannot be the worst there is, since you do not have God's righteous wrath upon your sin! And whatever you may lack in this life, you cannot lack the best there is, because you already have the Immeasurable Worth of God Himself!

Jesus Christ is the only Name under heaven by which men must be saved. If you have not been reconciled to God, call upon Him now for salvation. While you still can.