On Sunday a large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”” John 12:12-13 ESV
This did not cause Jesus to gloat or to be proud as He knew Friday was coming and could see His children being redeemed.
On Monday Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.” Matthew 21:12-14 ESV
This did not take Christ's eyes off what was important and He had honor and respect for His house and attempted to put things in order. He knew that Friday was coming and He could see His children being redeemed.
On Tuesday Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Matthew 26:15-16 ESV
Jesus knew this was going to happen and He was not shaken as He knew Friday was coming and He could see His children being redeemed.
On Thursday evening, he came with the twelve. As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”” Mark 14:17-21 ESV
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”” Matthew 26:26-29 ESV
Jesus said these things to His disciples to help prepare them because He knew Friday was coming and He could see His children being redeemed.
“And Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:39-44 ESV
Jesus knew what was coming and He was in His human flesh fearing and not wanting to have to do all that was required, He was stressed to the point that He sweated blood instead of water. but He remained faithful to His task and was willing to proceed with the plan because He knew Friday was coming and He could see His children being redeemed.
Early Friday morning “While Jesus was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”” Luke 22:47-53 ESV
Jesus was betrayed by a friend and arrested, He recognized the darkness and the power it had but He knew Friday was here and He could still see His children being redeemed.
All this happened while it was dark and before light would come Jesus would be tried two times then a third, forth, fifth and a sixth time He would be tried after sun up. Only to be found guilty and sentenced to die.
Jesus was falsely accused and grossly mistreated but He knew Friday was here and He could see His children being redeemed.
Jesus was beaten and mocked and humiliated amid these trials but still He spoke no contempt nor did He complain or cry out because He knew it was Friday and He could see His children being redeemed.
They took Jesus “and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called, “The Place of a Skull”, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified Him, with two criminals, one on either side of Him. Pilate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”” John 19:17-22 ESV
Jesus endured this because Friday was here and He could see His children being redeemed.
“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.” Luke 23:44-49 ESV
Friday was here and Jesus was gone and the Father God had turned His back on His son who was so wretched from taking all mine, yours and the entire world's sins upon himself that God could not look at Him. But God the father could see His children being redeemed because He knew Sunday was coming.
Pastor Sean