The easiest story to believe of the events of the cross would be the Gospel of John or Mark. Matthew Gospel though it includes the trial and the help carrying the cross to the crucifixion carries also the tombs being open and the dead rising and walking into the city of Jerusalem Holy People that rose. No other Gospel mentions the event of the time period afterwards of his death except in reference to the burial of Jesus. Why would Matthew share the event of the dead rising and no one else, perhaps because of fear it would take away the importance of Christ resurrection. The sky being darkened and the veil being torn in the temple is mentioned in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but not John. Same with the trial of Jesus before the court system not all of it speaks the same events that occurred. If one takes all four Gospel and weaves them together it forms a clearer picture of the events of that day.

The trial alone condemn Jesus because he refused to deny He was the Son of God and king of the Jews. The simple fact is because of certain facts were established in each Gospel we know that the trial of Jesus took place, but his innocents by human law did not prevent the legal law of crucifying Jesus. Was Jesus mere man to be buried after standing and being judge by the world because of who He is. The issue remains if Jesus being all he claimed was true, why did he have to die because of truth. Jesus submitted to human law. If a man came to you, claiming to be a son of God and a king would you not cry foul. Yet the scripture declares that man is a little god, and also king and priest that would rule with Christ and God. Jesus did not teach suicide. Nor did he teach to lie, cheat or steal. The language of the people declared Jesus to be what they claimed for themselves.

The cultic destructive nature goes into justifying humanity crimes against God in the form of sin. Also saying it is okay to kill, to molest children, preach suicide, to steal, to fight in opposition of the government authority and so forth. Breaking any of God’s law, even to the laws written on the believers heart by the Holy Spirit. The question is what keeps Jesus from being a destructive cult, at the time of the cross, would be what exactly, the fact there was no sin in what Jesus did. His perfection, his sinless life, was the key factor of Jesus not being a cult and Jesus being who He claimed to be. Yet was Jesus more then a man like any other man, the answer lies with the resurrection. For Jesus had to call forth all that died to rise of faith with his death. Even Elijah had raised a boy, if nothing more to strength the faith of the Shunammite woman. The cross without the events of the sky darkening and the veil ripping, the earthquake and the dead rising, Did Jesus have any power beyond human power. The fact that the priesthood was busy taking Jesus body for burial makes one question once again what happened. Jesus was outside the gate of Jerusalem when he was nailed to the cross. He was not inside the city walls. He was buried outside of Jerusalem. For him not to be buried outside he was not the Messiah for the sin was taken outside the gate of the city. The city being holy could not crucify Jesus within the gate. The sacrifice of the goat was taken outside the city, yet the goat would be turn loose and Jesus was not turned loose but crucified for being a Priest of Levitical tribe in the order of Melchizedek. The first high priest over the nations. Jesus by being human was a prince of peace/ yet he was label a king, because he of who he was as being not only Son of God but God. Son God by being the Word of God that became flesh and dwelt among us and being the Father by having the same Spirit of God has his Spirit, not having a different Spirit within him. All humans have an individual spirit but Christ body contained God’s Spirit.

Jesus was more then little god, and more then just a king, for he would rule on high. Yet the title king was justified by the fact he was offspring of King David by physical birth. Yet humanly he was only a man, with many titles from being born into the priesthood and the kingly line. Yet to be God or even the only begotten of the Father would take proof, proof only that could come with his death and resurrection. For Jesus said destroy the temple and on the third day it would be rebuilt. This was claimed through out his ministry even in the first year of ministry. Almost a tempting of what must come for man to believe Jesus was Lord, God and King.

The cross having many facets, but only one truth Jesus died upon it for you and me. Beaten and tried before the public square, only to then be nailed to a cross for you and me. The beating not enough to pacify the Jewish leaders. The leaders crying he declared himself a king. Facing the crime he did commit, yet in truth he was all the things man claimed about him. It would take the ripping of the veil, the earthquake and the sky being darkened for evidence, but it was more, it was the dead coming from the grave recorded in Matthew and yet Matthew had the most skeptical answer of saying it was not true by the roman leaders.

I can not imagine not believing in the resurrection or to not celebrate the price Christ paid for me. Yet he paid all for you as well, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Who would believe Jesus to be God, after all he walked and talked like you and me in the native language of where he lived. Who would believe Emmanuel was with us, or that the truth of prophesy was real. Only those who examined it time and time again must come to a place of either unbelief or belief. Christ suffered, but because He loved us. He bore those stripes on his back. He had the nails in his hands and sword in his side as proof of his death. All his blood and water poured out for you and me. The beating with bones in the cat of nine tails with bone chips braided into each whip, causing the skin to be ripped from the body. A crown of thorns piercing his very brow. And yet He still had the strength to talk to the disciples, his mother, the women and the thief on the cross. Giving hope in final message of forgive them Father for they know not what they do.

Dear Heavenly Father had the reality of who you are comes to us, as well as who Christ is and what He did for us through his death by taking away our sins for all that believe, may we celebrate knowing He rose the third day this Good Friday. In Jesus precious name, Amen.