The Trail of Redemption is the final walk that Christ took on your behalf, to deliver you from the pits of hell, and usher you into the eternal arms of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I say ‘is’ (in the present tense) because the fruits of that trail are available to everyone until Jesus’ return.
This Trail of Redemption is also referred to as Christ’s ‘Holy Week’, which began on Palm Sunday, (see What Is the Significance of Palm Sunday?).
In that week, we are witness to the incredible lengths that Jesus went, to insure your deliverance. To begin, and for the second time, He throws out the merchants and moneychangers from the Temple courtyard, with an acrid admonition:
“The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Mt. 21:13 NLT (see also Is. 56:7; Jer. 7:11; Mal. 3:1 – 4.)
Once the ‘thieves’ were cast out, Jesus entered the Temple and began healing the blind and the crippled. Children entered as well, and they shouted:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” Mt. 21:15 NKJV
The chief priests and the scribes were offended over all the commotion. They asked Christ if He was aware of what the children were shouting (recognizing Jesus as the Messiah), and He responds:
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” Mt. 2:16 NLT
Jesus is paraphrasing Ps. 8:2., inferring that they should follow the children’s example! Instead, they withdraw to consort with one another to hatch a plot for Christ’s demise.
A group of Greek (could also be translated as ‘Gentiles’) worshipers at the Temple approached the apostles, requesting an audience with Jesus. He denies their request and says to His apostles:
“Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.” Jn. 12:23 NLT
Jesus is saying that He must first suffer the crucifixion – closing the opportunity for salvation for the Jews who rejected Him during His incarnated visit on earth. Also, He must be resurrected, bringing glory to His Father and to Himself, before He can begin to gather the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God. (Remember that it was God’s plan to save the Jews first). [See Heb. 2:16]
Christ then gives the apostles a greater depth as to the ‘necessity’ of His death:
“…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone [just one grain, never more]. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest.” Jn. 12:24 AMP
…Christ’s death was to be the source of spiritual life to the world. From his cross and passions was to spring up a mighty harvest of benefit to all mankind. His death, like a grain of seed-corn, was to be the root of blessings and mercies to countless immortal souls. J.C. Ryle
So, unless the ‘seed’ of Jesus dies, and is planted in the earth, (in the hearts of His followers), His fruit of a world-wide church spreading the Gospel, would not have been possible.
Then, He tells the apostles that there is a bonus for those who become part of His church:
“The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Jn. 12:25, 26. AMP
Next, Jesus speaks to His Father, saying that He is ready to press into His destiny:
“Father, bring glory to your name.” Jn. 12:28 NLT
Miraculously, Jehovah’s voice booms from heaven in response:
“I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” Jn. 12:28 NLT
This draws a crowd, some believing it was thunder, others thinking it was an angel that spoke to Jesus. He addresses them:
“The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging the world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die. Jn. 12:30 – 33. NLT
Christ has given the crowd a lot to ponder. First, He said that God spoke out of the sky, so that these dunderheads might wake up and see who Jesus is, and to begin to understand the events that are unfolding before their eyes.
Second, He is pointing out that the earth will no longer be judged by the ‘old ruler’ of this world (Satan), who has been doing so since Adam and Eve. Upon Jesus’ resurrection, He will usurp the devil’s control, and He will rule and judge the earth.
Finally, He was saying that after His resurrection, He will call everyone on this globe to come to Him for eternal life. Everybody’s outcome will be determined by how they prepared themselves – by doing their best to walk a godly walk, and foremost, by accepting Christ as their savior.
The stubborn crowd is not getting it, refusing to see. Jesus steers them towards deeper thought:
“My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of light.” Jn. 12:35, 36. NLT
Most of the listeners did not believe.
Jesus knows that His earthly trail of redemption is ending. Out of His love for humankind, He beckons them with His final public address:
“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.
“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
“I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
“I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” Jn. 12:44 – 50. NLT
The following day, Jesus was approached by the chief priests and Temple elders who questioned His authority to preach. He peppers them with parables demonstrating their ignorance with the proper understanding of Scripture as well as their evilness of their character, and what that will cost them:
“…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruit. Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will shatter him.” Mt. 21:43, 44. CSB
In other words, the Kingdom of God will now be ripped away from the ‘religious system’ in Israel and be given to all His Jew and Gentile followers in other nations.
Jesus does not relent:
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.” Mt. 23:13 NLT
Jesus is saying that that the scribes and Pharisees have forfeited the kingdom of God by their disobedience to His word. Worse, they hinder the congregant’s ability to obey God’s laws, because of the additional burdens that they placed upon them, (i.e., false rituals and man-made Pharisaical rules).
And now, He cuts the cord with them, for all time:
“Listen carefully; your house is being left to you desolate [completely abandoned by God and destitute of His protection]!” Mt. 23:38 AMP
With that, He has washed His hands of them and leaves the Temple – never to return…
Jesus and His apostles go to the Mount of Olives, where they ask Him about what signs they should be looking for that would herald His return. He replies:
“Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.” Mt. 24:4, 5. NLT
“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.” Lk. 21:8 CSB
“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!” Mk. 13:22, 23. NLT
“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of birth pains, with more to come.” Mt. 24:6 – 8. NLT
Thus, before His second advent, the earth itself will suffer massive upheavals and destruction. Armies will clash with others all over the globe. Yet, these things only signal the beginning of the trials and tribulations to come.
Non-believers will also intensify their persecution of the followers of Christ:
“Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.” Mt. 24:9 NLT
“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
“But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Lk. 21:12 – 15. NLT
Next, Christ speaks about many believers that will fall out of faith:
“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” Mt. 24:10 – 12. NLT
“But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.” Mt. 24:13 AMP
“So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near…know that the Kingdom of God is near.” Lk. 21:28 & 31. NLT
“And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world – from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” Mt. 24:31 NLT
Then Jesus speaks about the urgency to be prepared for your destiny because the ungodly destiny is not a good one:
“And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world – from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” Mt. 24:31 NLT
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Mt. 25:46 NLT
On Wednesday of the Holy Week, Christ tells His apostles of the exact time of His crucifixion:
“As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Mt. 26:2 NLT
Simultaneously, the chief priests and the church elders were plotting His death. (See Mt. 26:3 – 5.) Indeed, they were assisted when Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who met with them. (Lk. 22:3 – 6).
It was now Thursday, where Jesus had His apostles prepare the Passover meal. Why?
Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave the world and return to the Father. Having greatly loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally). Jn. 13:1 AMP
(A whole book could be written about the revelations that occurred in that celebration. In fact, an extraordinary one exists: Lessons from the Upper Room by Sinclair B. Ferguson)
It was there that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet; He exposed Judas’ plot to kill him; and speaks about His imminent glorification:
“The time has come for the Son of Man to enter his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once.” Jn. 13:31, 32. NLT
Christ is saying that everything has now been set in motion for His imminent death and resurrection, which glorifies His Father – for Jehovah’s wisdom put forth in His salvation plan for humankind. It also glorifies the Son, for His passion for God’s children, and for His willingness to be our sacrificial substitute, to take on our punishment for our sins.
Peter objects with the fact that Jesus must die, saying he would die in his place. Christ prophesies that Peter will deny Jesus on the next day, and that the rest of the apostles would desert Him as well, but that He would meet them after His resurrection.
Next Jesus initiates the first celebration of Communion. (A ritual whereby we are taking something physical (often referred to as a ‘sacrament’), to remind us of Jehovah’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Finally, He gives the apostles their last in-depth teaching:
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
“If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” Jn. 14:1 – 3. CSB
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jn. 14:6 NKJV
“If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Jn. 14:7 NLT
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them…and we will come and make our home with each of them.” Jn. 14:21 & 23. NLT
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jn. 15:11 NLT
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
No, I will not abandon you as orphans – I will come to you.” Jn. 14:15 – 18. NLT
It is late in the evening. Jesus accompanies His 11 disciples to the garden of Gethsemane, lying at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to pray. First, He prayed for His glorification through His crucifixion and resurrection, to complete His earthly mission.
God is placing Jesus in charge of all living things. Christ has successfully relayed the full Gospel message. He has demonstrated, through Himself, what God is like, and He is letting us know again, that He existed with His Father long before they created this universe.
Then He prayed for the apostles and all who would place their faith in Him for all time – praying until Friday morning.
At that point, Jesus woke up the apostles who were supposed to watch over Him, announcing His betrayal:
“…look – the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” Mt. 26:45, 46. NLT
Exactly when Jesus said those words, Judas Iscariot entered the garden, accompanied by the Temple guards (provided by the chief priests), along with an armed crowd. Immediately, Judas approaches Jesus to identify Him to the guards. Now, the action begins:
Jesus identifies Judas as His betrayer; Peter cuts off an ear of a servant of a high priest, whom Jesus heals and rebukes Peter:
“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” Mt. 26:52, 53. NLT
Then, just as Jesus had prophesied, all His apostles deserted Him…
Christ was arrested, bound, and dragged before Annas [who was the father-in-law of the reigning high priest (Caiaphas), and had just previously held the same office – which still afforded him some authority.] Annas questioned Him about His teachings.
Jesus responded to Him by referring to His guileless transparency:
“Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoked in secret.” Jn. 18:20 NLT
One of the arresting officers did not care for Jesus’ response and slapped Him across the face, demanding greater respect for Annas. Christ simply countered the officer by telling him that He had done nothing to deserve such violent abuse. He was simply telling the truth.
Annas wasn’t getting anywhere with Jesus, so he sent Him to Caiaphas – as he was the only one who could bring formal charges against Him.
Caiaphas was gathered with the Sanhedrin, where they brought false witnesses to accuse Jesus of blasphemy. However, none of the reports corroborated each other – which is required by Jewish law.
Jesus remained silent during the entire proceeding. Frustrated, Caiaphas asked Him directly if He was the Son of God. He replied:
You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mt. 26:64 NLT
Jesus’ declaration of His Sonship was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Caiaphas. He accused Christ of blasphemy for claiming His divinity. The council pronounced a sentence of death. They spat in His face, mocked Him, and beat Him.
All the while, Peter is watching the proceedings from the courtyard. During this time, 3 people approached him, saying that they recognized him, having seen him with Jesus. Peter denied knowing Him, and during his third denial, a rooster crowed – exactly as He predicted.
Jesus turned to make eye contact with Peter. The apostle wept.
Judas of Iscariot was also slinking nearby; and when he heard the pronouncement of His death sentence, he was filled with remorse and tried to return his 30 pieces of silver blood money to the chief priests, pleading:
“I have sinned, he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Mt. 27:4 NLT
Judas threw the money into the Temple and went out and hung himself.
The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to execute Jesus’ sentence. Thus, they bound Him and sent Him to the one who did – Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.
When Pilate asked them what Jesus was being accused of, the Sanhedrin balked a little, saying that He was an ‘evil doer.’ Then they said that He was misleading the nation, calling Himself a king, and telling people not to pay their taxes to Caesar.
Pilate directly asked Him:
“Are you the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is just as you say.” Lk. 23:3 AMP
“You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.” Jn. 18:37 AMP
Pilate then learned that Christ was from Galilee. So, he shipped Him off to the Jewish governor of that region – Herod Antipas. Herod was excited because he thought Jesus would perform some miracles.
Instead, Jesus remained silent – even when the chief priests and scribes were hurling false charges at Him. Herod and his soldiers mocked Him and sent Him back to Pilate.
Pilate told Christ’s accusers that neither he nor Herod found any fault in Jesus. Indeed, Pilate now realized that He was innocent of any wrongdoing. He could see that Jesus’ accusers were motivated by pure envy.
Pilate then had Christ adorned in a purple gown and sporting a crown of thorns. He then presented Him to the crowd, who, by this time was whipped into a frenzy by the Sanhedrin, calling out for His death.
Still trying to find a way to get out of being an accomplice to His death, Pilate asks the crowd what it is that they think is the nature of His crime. They answer:
“By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” Jn. 19:7 NLT
When Pilate heard that, he became more fearful of his complicity. He asked Jesus about where He was from, but He remained silent. Frustrated, Pilate tells Him that he has the power to release Him. Jesus breaks His silence:
“You would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason, the sin and guilt of the one who handed Me over to you is greater [than your own].” Jn. 19:11 AMP
When Pilate refused to continue to be a part of Jesus’ death sentence, the Roman soldiers took Him back into Pilate’s residence. There, they clothed Him in a scarlet robe, put a reed in His right hand and kept the crown of thorns on His head.
Then, they ridiculed Jesus – bowing before Him and saying:
“Hail, King of the Jews!” Mt. 27:29 NKJV
They spat upon Him and beat His head with the reed. Next, they made Jesus carry His own cross towards a place called ‘Golgotha,’ (meaning ‘place of a skull;’ also called ‘Calvary’).
Along the way, Christ became too weary to bear the cross, so the soldiers forced a man named ‘Simon,’ to carry it for Him.
It is now 9:00 a.m., whereupon Christ is crucified, along with two criminals on crosses of their own. Over the head of Jesus’ cross was written: ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS’ (Mt. 27:37). Jesus speaks:
“Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” Lk. 23:34 CSB
One of the crucified criminals also spoke against Christ.
However, the other criminal rebuked him, saying:
“Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lk. 23:39 – 42. NLT
Jesus replied:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Lk. 23:43 NKJV
From noon until 3:00 p.m., the sun darkened. Jesus knew His death was imminent. In this moment, He had to bear all the sins of humankind throughout time – taking upon Himself Jehovah’s wrath, that He would have hurled at all the perpetrators.
He had to taste death and separation from His Father for the first and last time. In that moment, Jesus had to feel, with every ounce of His soul and flesh, what every condemned human being would feel. He cried out (from His flesh):
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Mt. 27:46 NLT
Realizing His work was complete, Christ declared:
“It is finished!” Jn. 19:30 NLT
Jesus then uttered His final words as His incarnate self:
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Lk. 23:46 NLT
Simultaneously, the veil of the Temple in Jerusalem [the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)], split in two. The veil was approximately 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, and 4 inches thick. Tearing it was beyond all human capability.
The significance of the veil was that it separated humankind (represented by the high priest), who carried out his duties in the Holy Place) from God, whose Spirit resided in the Most Holy Place – where the priest was only allowed to enter on the annual Day of Atonement.
Tearing the veil eliminated that barrier, because God and humankind were now directly connected through Jesus Christ.
Pilate gave permission to a disciple of Christ, named Joseph, permission to bury Him. He was assisted by Nicodemus, (whom you might recall was the member of the Sanhedrin that came to Jesus, who laid the concept of baptism upon him). Obviously, he had a change of heart.
Finally, the Roman soldiers sealed the opening of the tomb.
On Saturday, the chief priests and the Pharisees asked the Roman soldiers to guard the tomb’s entrance until the 3 days elapsed that Christ had claimed would culminate in His resurrection. They were afraid that Jesus’ apostles would steal the body and fake His revivification.
Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene, and Mary (the mother of the disciple James, not Jesus’ brother) came to the tomb:
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” Mt. 28:2 – 6. NLT
He is Risen! Happy Easter!
Goodnight and God Bless.