7QTF - A Good Friday

Out of reverance for what today is, I shall refrain from images or videos except the 7QT logo. Continuing the Triduum reflection and moving to Good Friday. Here are 7 DISSECTIONS of my take on the Gospel of John.

- 1 -

"Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name." PHIL 2: 8-9 OK, so that's not from the Gospel of John, but it's today's lead-in to the Gospel.

DISSECT = There's a reward for faithfulness and devotion to the mission, that's Heaven. Martyrdom is no easy end to the obedient means. Jesus knew the end.

- 2 -

The rest of the takes come from John 18:1 - 19:42. In response to Judas showing up with the band of soldiers and guards of the high priests and Pharisees, and asking who Jesus the Nazarene was, "Jesus answered, 'I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.' This was to fulfill what he had said, 'I have not lost any of those you gave me.'"

DISSECT = Faithfulness in the face of betrayal. Judas betray him for 30 pieces of silver. (See my first Triduum post after the Last Supper pictures.) Jesus protects his apostles. Selfless love, foreshadowing more selfless love. I love it.

- 3 -

"It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people."

DISSECT = Utilitarianistic sacrifice? Eerily similar to modern day isn't it? The "leaders" of the masses put forth the notion that it's better for the one person, the one ideal, the one truth, the one freedom Christ represented die, for fear of not offending the Roman oppressors, for the benefit of appeasing the masses... Just like the supposed "leaders" of the masses now so quickly entice the masses to give up one freedom for fear of upsetting those same masses, or for fear that should the one not be sacrificed, we'll appear to offend.

- 4 -

"One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, 'Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?' Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed."

DISSECT = Peter coming fresh off his second denial of Jesus, outright lies to maybe the cousin of the dude he just lopped an ear off less than 24 hours ago. What are the chances you'd be standing by a fire, warming yourself next to the guy who can pick you out of a lineup? Self preservation is a strong instinct. Even for the keeper of the keys, the first Pope, the rock on which the Church would be built. Stark contrast vs. PHIL 2:8-9.

- 5 -

"So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he (Pilate) said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!... Pilate said to him, 'Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?' Jesus answered him, 'You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.'”

DISSECT = In John's Gospel, Pilate really and truly struggles with his role in this story. While it's not specifically in John, we all know Pilate didn't listen to his wife. I mean he thought that was a good idea? He tries to find some guilt in Jesus, but cannot. He has Jesus scourged, to PROVE to the masses that Jesus is just a man, not this King the Jews outside were claiming. Not the "Son of God." In John's Gospel, Pilate, and I had to go back and reread it, a few times, but there it was... 7 times Pilate either struggled internally or tried to convince the Jews that Jesus should go free. Lesson = Washing your hands of the situation is still guilt, just maybe slightly less. Again, a stark contrast vs. PHIL 2:8-9.

- 6 -

"So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, 'Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.' Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written.'”

DISSECT = I'd like to think even if Pilate didn't do anything to stop it, it was still willed from above, and God at least let Pilate come to the realization that Jesus was truly the King of Kings. Wonder what Pilate's life was like after that moment. Reportedly it didn't end well. Either executed by the new Emperor Caligula, or he committed suicide.

- 7 -

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it."

DISSECT = What a time to display to the world that you're a follower. Did Joseph possibly feel some guilt for secretly being a disciple, so much so that it prompted a public display so he might make atonement for not doing anything more sooner? Maybe, but better late than never. Pilate should have listened to his wife. Always listen to your wife if you wanna be happy for the rest of your life. Then have unwavering faith and stand up for it. That's the obedience God is looking for, and the faith that God exalts.

This year, let your faith not waver, let it be true. Let it be in him whose name is exalted above all names.

Check back on thisaintthelyceum.org for more 7QT and have a holy Triduum!

#Jesus #GoodFriday #Pilate #John #Peter