Jesus is the living Word of God, Who came to the earth to preach and bring the Kingdom of God in word and deed to the people of God and to restore the position of fallen man. Jesus knew the words of God, which were spoken by the prophets of the Old Covenant. Jesus knew the cup, which the Father had given His Son to drink. He knew the suffering and mockery that was in front of Him. He knew that He would be mocked, spitefully entreated, spit upon, scourged and eventually be crucified. Jesus knew that the moment would come, that He would be separated from His Father because of sin, and that He would enter Hades. But Jesus also knew, what awaited for Him after His suffering and mockery.
Jesus knew that He would be mocked, spitefully entreated, spit and scourged
The Lord God hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed (Isaiah 50:5-7)
The redemption plan for fallen man was already known before God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the earth and Jesus; the Word of God came by birth in the flesh on earth. By the mouths of the prophets of God, God had made His plan known. He had prophesied about the coming of the Messiah and His suffering.
Jesus made His suffering known to His disciples
When the end of Jesus’ walk on earth approached, Jesus made His suffering known to His disciples. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus prepared them for the things that were about to happen in Jerusalem.
Jesus told them, that He would be betrayed, arrested, and delivered unto the chief priest and the scribes and they would condemn Him to death. They would deliver Him to the Gentiles and be mocked, scourged, spit upon, and be crucified. But Jesus also told them, that He would rise again on the third day (Mat 20:17-19, Mar 10:32-34, Lu 18:31-33)
Although Jesus informed His disciples about His betrayal, arrest, mockery, deliverance to the Gentiles, scourging, and crucifixion, His disciples, who were the old creation, were not able to understand His words. No reira, they didn’t understand what Jesus meant (Lu 18:34)
Jesus was betrayed by His disciple
Jesus was not betrayed by a stranger, but Jesus was betrayed by His own friend Jude, who was one of His disciples. Jude didn’t answer Jesus’ love, because his love for the enrichment of himself and the love for money was greater than his love for Jesus.
Therefore He betrayed His Master for thirty pieces of silver and delivered Him to the high priests (Mat 26:14-16).
The arrest of Jesus in the garden
Despite the fact, that Jesus had informed and prepared His disciples about His arrest, Peter drew his sword and attacked Malchus, a servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
Jesus commanded Peter to put his sword in his place and healed the ear of Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, that all who would take the sword, would perish with the sword.
Jesus continued and said, “Don’t you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be. The cup which my Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” (Mat 26:51-54, Joh 18:1-11)
Jesus said to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders, that they had come against Him as a thief with swords and staves, while He sat daily with them teaching in the temple, and they didn’t lay hold on Him. But all this was done, so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled. Jesus said to them, that this was their hour and the power of darkness (Lu 22:52-53)
All the disciples, who were still the old creation, forsook Jesus and fled (Mat 26:31)
But Jesus didn’t resist His arrest and without any resistance, He was delivered by His disciple and by His own people to the high priest and then to the Gentiles.
The trial and interrogation by Annas
Jesus was brought to the house of the high priest and was first brought to Anna, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year. Caiaphas had given counsel to the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
The high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, that He had spoken openly to the world. He had taught in the synagogue and in the temple where the Jews always resorted. He had said nothing in secret.
Jesus asked the high priest, why he asked Him and suggested that he would ask those, who heard Him and what He said to them, because they knew what He said.
After Jesus spoke these words, one of the officers, who stood by, struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Answers Thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smittest thou Me?
The interrogation by Caiaphas
After the interrogation by Annas, Annas sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas the high priest. As soon as it was day, the chief priests, the elders of the people and the scribes gathered together and led Him into their counsel
Now the chief priests and all the council sought a false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none. Many bare false witnesses against Him, but their witnesses didn’t agree together.
Then two witnesses arose and bore false witness against Jesus, saying, that they heard Jesus say, that He would destroy the temple that was made with hands and that within three days, He would build another made without hands.
The high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus if He wouldn’t answer them. But Jesus held His peace and didn’t answer.
When the high priest asked Jesus again, if He was the Christ the Son of the Blessed, Jesus said, “Thou hast said (“I am” Mat 14:62): and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven”.
After Jesus had spoken these words the high priest rented his clothes and said, that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. Therefore they didn’t need any other witness, for all had heard His words. And they all said that He was guilty of death
Jesus was found guilty and was sentenced to death for the words He had spoken which were considered by the religious leaders as blasphemy.
Jesus spoke the truth and because of the truth they didn’t consider Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, but as an enemy; an adversary of God. Because of their blindness, He was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Jesus was spit upon, mocked, and smitten
After the interrogation, the men that held Jesus made a mockery of Jesus and spit Jesus in His face, and smote Jesus. And when they had blindfolded Jesus, they struck Jesus on the face, and asked Him, saying, “Prophecy, who is it that smote Thee?” And many other things blasphemously spake they against Jesus (Lu 22:63-66)
Jesus delivered to the Gentiles
The following morning, all the chief priests, the elders of the people, and scribes took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. Jesus was bound and brought to the hall of judgment to Pontius Pilate, the governor*.
While Jesus entered the hall of judgment, they didn’t enter because they didn’t want to be defiled, so that they could eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate came outside and asked them, what accusation they brought against Jesus. They accused Jesus of perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself was Christ the King, Jesus was an evildoer and therefore they had delivered Him to him.
Pilate said to them, that they would take Him and judge Him according to their law. But they said that it was not lawful for them to put any man to death. And so the sayings of Jesus were fulfilled, that spoke of what death He should die.
Pilate returned to the judgment hall and called Jesus. On all the accusations of the high priests and elders, Jesus held His peace and didn’t say anything. Therefore Pilate was surprised. Pilate asked Jesus if He didn’t hear all the accusations and all the witnesses, but Jesus still held His peace and didn’t answer.
Pilate asked Jesus why He didn’t answer him, since he had the power to release Jesus and to crucify Jesus. But Jesus said, that he wouldn’t have power against Him if it was not given to him from above. Therefore the one, who had delivered Him to Pilate had greater sin.
The King of the Jews
During his interrogation, Pilate asked Jesus if He was indeed the king of the Jews. Jesus answered him if he said this out of himself or if others told him (Jn 18:34)
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thou unto me, what hast Thou done? Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence.”
Pilate asked again, “Are Thou a king then? Jesus answered him “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said unto Jesus “What is the truth?”
During the interrogation, Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people, that he found no guilt in Him. But the people persevered and were more fierce and said, that He stirred up the people, teaching through all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place
Jesus was brought to Herod and was mocked
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if Jesus was a Galilaean. When he found out that Jesus was a Galilaean and belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Jesus to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time.
When Jerod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad, for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him. Therefore he hoped to see some miracle done by HIm.
While the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him and Herod questioned Jesus, Jesus didn’t say anything.
Herod and his man of war treated Him with contempt and mocked Him and dressed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate
Jesus or Barabbas
Since it was a Jewish custom to release a prisoner during Passover, Jesus and a notorious prisoner Barabbas, who was a robber and who was for a certain sedition made in the city and for murder was cast into prison, were brought before the people.
Since Pilate and Herod, didn’t find any fault in Him, Pilate suggested that He would chastise Jesus and release Him. But the people, who were stirred up and persuaded by the chief priests and elders, to release Barabbas and put Jesus to death, cried that he would release Barabbas and crucify Jesus (A tai'o atoa: Jesus or Barabbas, who do you choose?).
Jesus was chastised and mocked
During the interrogation, Jesus was taken by the soldiers into the hall, which was called Praetorium, and was chastised (scourged). The whole cohort of soldiers was gathered and they stripped Jesus of His clothes and put on Him a scarlet robe. They had twisted a crown of thorns, which they put upon His head and gave Him a reed in His right hand.
They bowed their knees before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They smote Him with their hands and spit upon Him and took the reed and smote Jesus on the head.
The mockery of Jesus after the chastisement
After Jesus was chastised and mocked, Pilate went forth again and said to them, that he would bring Jesus forth to them, so that they would know that he found no fault in Him.
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.
Pilate said unto them “Behold the Man!” But when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, that he had to crucify Him.
Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews cried to him and threatened him, that if he would let Jesus go, then he would no longer be Caesar’s friend. Since everyone, who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.
When Pilate heard their words, he brought Jesus forth and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement (in the Hebrew, Gabbatha). And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour and Pilate said unto the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!”
Pilate asked them “Should I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar”
Since Pilate found no fault in Jesus and since he could not accomplish anything to persuade the people of Jesus’ innocence, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying that he was innocent of the blood of this just Person. But the people answered and said that His blood would be on them and on their children.
And so Pilate granted their request. Barabbas was released and Jesus was delivered to be crucified.
The way to the cross
After the interrogations, the mockery, and chastisement, they took off Jesus’ robe put His own clothes on, and led Jesus away to be crucified.
On the way to Calvary, they found Simon of Cyrene, who passed by, coming out of the country, and they compelled him to bear the cross of Jesus.
The Crucifixion
When they arrived at Calvary (in Hebrew Golgotha, the place of a skull), they gave Jesus vinegar to drink mingled with gal (myrrh (Mar 15:23)). But when Jesus tasted thereof, He wouldn’t drink it.
Then the soldiers took His garments and crucified Jesus on the third hour. And Jesus said: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
When they had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also His coat: now the coat (tunic) was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, that they would not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be. And so the scripture was fulfilled that said, They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture, they did cast lots (Ps 22:19).
Now the mother of Jesus and His mother’s sister Mary the wife of Cleophas and Maria of Magdalene stood by the cross of Jesus. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple, whom He loved (John), He said unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” And to the disciple “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour, the disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus was mocked at the cross
Pilate wrote a title in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and put it on the cross. Above Jesus’ head, the superscription of His accusation was written, ‘This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’
Now, they that passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their head. They made a mockery of Jesus by saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself and come down from the cross. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests mocked Jesus, with the scribes and elders by saying, ”He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the son of God.”
One of the thieves (robbers, criminals) reviled (blasphemed) Jesus and said, ”If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us.” But the other rebuked him and said, “Does not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing wrong.” And he said unto Jesus, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy Kingdom.” And Jesus said unto him, “verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” (Lu 23:39-43)
The darkness from the sixth hour until the ninth hour
And from the sixth hour, the sun was darkened and darkness was over all the land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli Eli, lama sabachtani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?)
Some of them that stood there and heard Jesus, said that Jesus called for Elias. But no, Jesus called God, who had left Him, because He had put the sin of the world upon Him.
When Jesus knew that all things were accomplished and that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.”
One of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar. He put it on a reed and gave Jesus to drink. The rest of them said, “Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”
When Jesus had received the vinegar, He cried again with a loud voice “ Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” He cried and said “It is finished” and gave up the ghost
The veil of the temple was rent in twain
At that moment, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
When the centurion, and they that were with Him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God”
The proof of Jesus’ pohe
Since it was the preparation, and the bodies could not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.
When the soldiers came, they broke the legs of the first thieve and the other. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear and immediately came there out of His body blood and water. So that they saw and would be witnesses of the fact that Jesus had died and no one could say later on, that Jesus did not really die at the cross.
And he that saw it bare record and his record is true and he knows that he saith true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture said, They shall look on Him whom they pierced (Ex 12:46, Nu 9:12, Ps 34:21, Zach 12:10, Op 1:7).
The burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus was taken from the cross, and His body was wounded in linen cloths with the spices and placed in the grave of Joseph. Joseph was a rich man from Arimathaea and a member of the council. Joseph was also a disciple of Jesus in secret, out of fear of the Jews, who expected the Kingdom of God.
After three days, Jesus rose from the dead, just as Jesus had foretold His disciples.
The Cup of the Father
Jesus had made a choice to take the cup of the Father and drink the cup of the Father. Although Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus learned obedience by the things, that Jesus suffered. And so Jesus went in obedience to God the way of suffering and the way of mockery and shame, while His eyes stayed fixed on God. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Heb 5:8; 12:2).
Although Jesus was mocked by the world during his interrogations, chastisement, and at the cross, Jesus stayed loyal to His Father.
Jesus didn’t make a mockery of His Father and didn’t put Him to shame, by becoming disobedient to the will of the Father, but Jesus was made a mockery and was put to shame, because of His obedience to the Father. Because of that, He glorified, exalted, and honored His Father with His life.
The mockery of the world
Te feia e farii nei, a faaite, who are born again in Him and have put on Jesus Christ and have become sons of God have become a mockery for the world.
Many prophets, who lived during the Old Covenant and many sons of God, who lived after the resurrection of Jesus Christ during the New Covenant have been mocked by people.
Many of them have been falsely accused and have been mocked and put to death. They have been, just like Jesus, who was holy and righteous and lived a holy life, wrongly accused and sentenced to death.
In this age, many believers have committed adultery with the world.
Instead of doing their best to win those, no te ao nei; the kingdom of darkness, for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, by preaching the truth of God to those souls, who are on their way to hell, e calling them to repentance, they try to win them for themselves.
They don’t want to be enemies of the world, but they want to be friends with the world.
Therefore many have become adulterous and have deviated from the truth of God. They have compromised and adjusted the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they not only could remain friends with the world, but they could also live as those, no te ao nei; the kingdom of darkness.
A friend of the world is an enemy of God
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4)
But the Word says, that whosoever is a friend of the world is an enemy of God. You cannot be a friend of the world and at the same time a friend of God.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the ruler of this world, the kingdom of darkness, is the devil and Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of God.
You can’t obey, serve, and exalt the devil through your flesh and at the same time obey, serve, and exalt Jesus through your spirit. It is a choice, which you have to make.
If you make a choice for Jesus and decide to follow Him, then you can no longer follow the world. Because your mind will be renewed with the Word of God, therefore you shall no longer have the mind of this world and live like the world.
As a result, you shall be mocked by the world, just like Jesus was mocked, and they shall consider you a fool
They shall not only mock you, but they shall also falsely accuse you. People shall tell lies about you. Now, it’s all about how you cope with this.
Do you let your feelings and emotions dictate your speech and behavior and will you become offensive and prove your innocence? Or do you keep silent, just like Jesus, because you love Jesus, and you know who you are in Christ and that your Lord and Master has gone through the same thing and has set the example of how to live on earth?
For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Pe 2:21-24)
After all Jesus has done and gone through for you, are you willing to be made a mockery for Jesus Christ in the world, by staying faithful to the truth of God and stay obedient to His will and therefore exalt and glorify Him? Or do you make Jesus Christ a mockery again, by living in disobedience to His will?
'Ia riro ei miti no te fenua’
*The suffering of Jesus is composed on the basis of the four gospels (Mataio, Mareko, Luke, and John). Although the content is the truth, the chronological order of the events may deviate.
