The Passion of the King of Glory

1. Jesus' Divine Authority and Compassion Transform Lives

News of this miracle spread quickly.

Early ministry. Jesus began his public ministry after his baptism, where God affirmed him as "my beloved Son." He immediately faced temptation in the wilderness, resisting the devil's offers of power without suffering, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God's will. His first public miracle, turning water into wine at Cana, quietly revealed his power over the physical realm.

Healing and teaching. Jesus' fame grew as he traveled through Galilee, teaching with astonishing grace and authority, and healing all who came to him. He healed a nobleman's dying son from a distance, Peter's mother-in-law, and a paralytic lowered through a roof, forgiving sins before commanding healing. These acts showed his compassion for the hurting and his divine authority over sickness and sin.

Power over nature. Jesus demonstrated his sovereignty over creation by calming a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee with a word, and later by walking on its surface. He also miraculously fed over five thousand people with just five barley cakes and two fish, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers. These wonders left his disciples in awe and fear, realizing he was not merely a man, but one whom even the wind and seas obeyed.

2. The Kingdom of God: A Call to Repentance and Humility

His message was simple and pointed: “Hope is here. The Lord is with us.”

John's preparation. John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, prepared the way for the Messiah by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He proclaimed Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," signifying Jesus' sacrificial purpose. John's ministry drew many, but he humbly declared, "He must increase and I must decrease."

A new kind of kingdom. Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand, but it was not a political kingdom to overthrow Rome by force. Instead, it was a spiritual kingdom built on forgiveness, grace, and love. He associated with "sinners"—tax collectors, prostitutes, and social outcasts—eating with them and dignifying their lives, much to the dismay of the religious leaders.

Humility and mercy. Jesus taught that true greatness comes through service, not honor or power. He illustrated this with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing that God justifies the humble and penitent, not the self-righteous. He also taught that God delights in the recovery of the lost, rejoicing over one sinner who repents, challenging the religious leaders' focus on rules over affection.

3. Growing Opposition Reveals Hearts and Hardens Minds

The Pharisees were crafting a narrative that Jesus and his followers were a danger to Israel—men bent on starting a revolution grounded in blasphemous teaching, eager to stir the ire of Rome and undermine the sanctity of the temple.

Confronting corruption. Jesus' actions, such as cleansing the temple by overturning money-changers' tables, directly challenged the religious authorities. He accused them of turning God's house of prayer into a "den of thieves," demonstrating his authority and indignation over their commercialization of worship. This act, performed twice, served as both a warning and a judgment.

Sabbath controversies. Jesus repeatedly healed on the Sabbath, deliberately violating the Pharisees' strict interpretations of the law. When questioned, he asserted his authority, declaring, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." These healings, like restoring a man paralyzed for 38 years or a man with a shriveled hand, highlighted his compassion but fueled the leaders' anger, who saw him as a lawbreaker.

Claims of deity. Jesus' claims to be "the bread of life," to forgive sins, and to be "one with the Father" were perceived as blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. His statement, "Before Abraham was born, I am," directly invoked the divine name, leading them to attempt to stone him. Their inability to accept his divine identity, despite his miracles, hardened their hearts and solidified their resolve to kill him.

4. The Messiah's Path: Suffering Precedes Glory

He began to tell them that the Son of Man would have to suffer many things and be rejected by the leaders of his own people—the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes—and be killed, and after three days in the grave, he would rise from the dead.

Prophecies of suffering. Jesus began to explicitly tell his disciples that he, the Son of Man, must suffer many things, be rejected by the religious leaders, be killed, and rise again on the third day. This was a shocking revelation to his followers, who expected a conquering king, not a suffering servant. Peter even rebuked Jesus for speaking of such things, earning a sharp rebuke in return: "Get behind me, Satan."

The Transfiguration. On Mount Hermon, Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus transfigured, glowing with divine light, conversing with Moses and Elijah about his "departure" in Jerusalem. A voice from a cloud declared, "This is my Son, whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." This event confirmed Jesus' divine identity and the necessity of his suffering, linking his glory to his impending death.

The cost of following. Jesus taught that discipleship meant denying oneself, taking up one's cross daily, and losing one's life for his sake to truly save it. He warned that his followers would face persecution and hatred because of him, but promised the Holy Spirit would empower them. This radical call to humility and sacrifice was a stark contrast to the world's pursuit of honor and power.

5. Jesus' Power Over Death: A Glimpse of Eternal Life

Lazarus, come out! Live!

The widow's son. In the village of Nain, Jesus encountered a funeral procession for a widow's only son. Moved by compassion, he stopped the bier, touched it, and commanded the young man to "Get up." The dead man immediately sat up and began to speak, a miracle that caused fear and awe, with people declaring, "God has visited his people and he has given us a great prophet."

Jairus's daughter. A synagogue ruler named Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Despite news of her death, Jesus urged Jairus, "Do not be afraid, but believe in me." Entering the girl's room, Jesus took her hand and whispered, "Talitha, little one, wake up." The girl immediately sat up, demonstrating Jesus' power over death and his intimate compassion.

Lazarus's resurrection. The most dramatic display of Jesus' power over death was the resurrection of Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Despite Martha's lament, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died," Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life." He then commanded Lazarus to "Come out!" and Lazarus emerged from the tomb, still wrapped in grave clothes. This undeniable miracle solidified many people's faith but also intensified the Sanhedrin's plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.

6. The Cost of Discipleship: Self-Denial and Unwavering Faith

If you are not willing and able to walk away from everything you hold dear and bear up under your own cross daily, you do not want to follow me.

Leaving everything. Jesus called his disciples to leave their former lives and livelihoods to follow him, promising to make them "fishers of men." This radical commitment meant abandoning security, family, and social standing. The rich young ruler, unwilling to sell his possessions and give to the poor, walked away sorrowful, illustrating the high cost of true discipleship.

Peter's denial and restoration. Despite Peter's fervent declarations of loyalty, Jesus predicted he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed twice. In the courtyard of the high priest, Peter, fearing for his life, indeed denied knowing Jesus. This profound failure shattered Peter's self-confidence. However, after the resurrection, Jesus lovingly reinstated Peter by asking him three times, "Do you love me?" and commissioning him to "Feed my sheep," demonstrating that God's call is not revoked by human failure.

Faith in the unseen. Thomas, ever the pragmatist, refused to believe in Jesus' resurrection without seeing and touching his wounds. When Jesus appeared to him, he invited Thomas to touch his hands and side, leading to Thomas's confession, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus then declared, "Blessed are those who have not seen me but believe anyway," emphasizing the nature of faith beyond physical evidence.

7. The Last Supper: A New Covenant and Profound Betrayal

This bread is my body. Take it. It is for you.

A final meal. On the Thursday before Passover, Jesus shared his last supper with his twelve disciples in an upper room. This meal, steeped in tradition, became a profound moment of new meaning. Jesus washed his disciples' feet, including Judas's, as a humble act of service and a symbolic cleansing, demonstrating the servant leadership he expected from them.

The new covenant. Jesus transformed the Passover meal's symbols. He took the unleavened bread, broke it, and declared, "This bread is my body. Take it. It is for you." He then took the third cup, the cup of redemption, saying, "This is my blood—the blood of the covenant which is poured out for the sins of many. Drink this in remembrance of me." These acts established a new covenant, signifying his body and blood as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Judas's betrayal. During the meal, Jesus revealed that one of them would betray him. He identified Judas by giving him a piece of bread dipped in oil, saying, "What you are going to do, do now." Judas, who had already agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, left the room and stepped "irreversibly into darkness." This act of betrayal, known to Jesus beforehand, was part of the divine plan for his sacrifice.

8. The Passion: Injustice, Sacrifice, and Divine Fulfillment

Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.

Arrest and trials. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in agony, accepting the "cup" of suffering. Judas led soldiers to arrest him, identifying Jesus with a kiss. Jesus willingly submitted, even healing the high priest's servant whose ear Peter had cut off. He then endured a series of unjust trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, where false witnesses and political maneuvering condemned him.

Pilate's dilemma. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, sought to release him, offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and the notorious murderer Barabbas. The mob, incited by the chief priests, chose Barabbas, shouting, "Crucify him!" Pilate, fearing a riot, washed his hands of Jesus' blood and handed him over for crucifixion, despite his wife's warning. The crowd's cry, "We have no king but Caesar," sealed Jesus' fate.

The crucifixion. Jesus was scourged, mocked, and forced to carry his cross to Golgotha, the Hill of the Skull. Nailed to the cross between two thieves, he endured immense suffering. He prayed, "Father, forgive them," and entrusted his mother to John. At noon, darkness covered the land for three hours, and at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out, "It is finished," and "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," before dying. An earthquake shook Jerusalem, and the temple curtain tore from top to bottom, signifying direct access to God.

9. The Resurrection: A New Hope and a World Transformed

He is not here. He has risen.

The empty tomb. Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to anoint Jesus' body but found the tomb's stone rolled away and guarded by an angel. The angel declared, "He is not here. He has risen, just as he told you." Peter and John, upon hearing the news, raced to the tomb and found it empty, with the grave clothes lying undisturbed, leading them to believe.

Appearances of the Risen Christ. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, who initially mistook him for the gardener, before recognizing him and proclaiming, "I have seen the Lord!" He then appeared to his disciples, who were locked away in fear, saying, "Peace to you." He showed them his nail-scarred hands and feet, and even ate broiled fish to prove he was flesh and bone, not a ghost.

The Emmaus Road. Two disciples, Cleopas and his wife, walked to Emmaus, discussing their sorrow and confusion over Jesus' death. A stranger joined them, and as he explained how the Scriptures foretold the Messiah's suffering before glory, their hearts "burned within them." When he broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him as the risen Jesus before he vanished. This encounter transformed their grief into joy and renewed hope.

10. Behold the King of Glory: The Enduring Promise of Renewal

Behold the King of glory, who declares from his eternal throne, “I am making all things new.”

Victory over death. Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, guaranteeing that death has been defeated. Just as death entered the world through Adam, resurrection and new life come through Jesus Christ. His victory over the grave means that all who believe in him are born into a "new and living hope," with an inheritance that will never perish.

Exaltation and authority. Because Jesus humbled himself to death on the cross, God has highly exalted him, giving him the name above all names. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for his people, bearing all authority in heaven and on earth.

The church's mission and future hope. The risen Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry his message of mercy and forgiveness into the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This community of faith, the church, lives as agents of renewal, waiting for his return to consummate the redemption he set in motion. His resurrection guarantees the coming renewal of all things, where a New Jerusalem will descend, and God will dwell with humanity, wiping away every tear, and death shall be no more.