My apologies if you expected some humor today. It’s Good Friday in the Christian world and, as is our tradition, no jokes today as we bow our heads in humble recognition that today our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. We will be back with our regular program next week.

The prophet Isaiah saw the Messiah being interrogated by King Herod who couldn’t get a word out of him. Isaiah described the scene in this way:

“He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. — Isaiah 53:7

Jesus didn’t waste his time on useless banter with silly King Herod. Perhaps, Jesus had a checklist of prophecies he was expected to fulfill all throughout his life and this was his last day on earth … and he had not slept a wink. I’m guessing he needed to conserve his strength to go through the trial, the scourging … the crucifixion.

But Jesus didn’t remain silent all throughout. Did you ever wonder if he had a low voice? Was it loud? It’s pretty wild when you realize that Jesus (the god-made-man, one of three … creator of the universe) actually spoke a human language. Let that sink in. No he didn’t speak English … didn’t have a British accent like they portray him in some movies. He spoke Aramaic and most probably with a Galilean accent which I’m guessing had a northern drawl. Compared to the accent of the elite citizens of Rome, Jesus might have sounded like a Hillbilly because he grew up in a fishing village. He was low class.

I extracted (and slightly edited for clarity) all his words from the four Gospels. If we placed a microphone in front of Jesus, these would be the sound bytes we would have picked up. I did not include the comments of the other characters — these are exclusively Jesus’ words. What I found interesting is Jesus’ thoughts (just as in his normal earthly encounters) were always for others except when he was already delusional and nearing death when he thought of his own needs.

The hot mic starts in the quiet setting of the Mount of Olives, in the garden of Gethsemane, in the chilly early morning. If you are familiar with the story, you’ll be able to follow where and when the words were spoken. If you aren’t familiar with the story, let this be the trailer of a movie. Later, I suggest you pick up a Bible and start reading chapter 18 of the book of John

JESUS’ FINAL WORDS

“Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

“Who is it you want?”

“I am he,”

“Who is it you want?” (For the second time)

“I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you … teaching in the temple courts … you did not arrest me … but [I know it’s because] the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

“Put your sword away Peter!!! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?!”

“I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

“I am [the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One] and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

“If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

“Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”

“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

“Woman, here is your son. Son, here is your mother.”

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

“I am thirsty.”

“It is finished.”

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Friday, about 9:00 am, Jesus was nailed to the cross. By 3:00 pm, that same day, Jesus’ earthly body stopped functioning. Saturday, his followers scattered in fear. But Sunday … (oh wonderful Sunday just before sunrise) Jesus resurrected from the dead. Hallelujah!

Of course this is just me.

TGIF people!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3: 16-17

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Sad Good Friday

WARNING: Spiritual Content. As is our tradition, no Jokes today.

I couldn’t figure out why it’s been a very sad week for me. I’ve shared this gloom with a few friends. It’s a sadness that I could almost touch.

One reason for my sadness is Oswald. He’s a good friend who is losing his apartment at the end of the month.  He was wrongfully terminated and since that time (over 7 years ago) he has slowly depleted all of his savings. He’s emotionally paralyzed and cannot get a job. He stubbornly insists that God will pull him through. How do you help someone like him?

Another reason for my sadness is Don. The first time I laid eyes on Don I saw a stocky grandfather whom I imagined traveled the world and back. There was this air of confidence … that smirk and a glint in his eye that preceded the joke or a pearl of wisdom he was about to share. You knew he had so many stories to share. No cultural barriers or pretensions with this guy — he was the real deal. He married Ofelia, a lovely Hispanic grand lady with a questioning smile. They were quite a duo … did everything together.

I learned something new with every conversation I had with Don. He was among the first batch of the US Navy SEALs specially trained to endure physical pain, maneuver all kinds of terrain and ready for special covert assignments. He was the scuba demolition expert. In 1962, he and his buddies had secretly landed in Cuba and waited for instructions.  President John F. Kennedy’s nuclear rivalry with Secretary Khrushchev terrified the world. If Russia did not back down, Don had orders to start the first wave of attack and start World War III. Fortunately, cool heads prevented a disaster.

When the crew of the Apollo 11 splashed down in the ocean Southwest of Hawaii after the successful trip to the moon, Don was on the raft sent out to meet the space heroes.

If you look at the videos, you will see Don opening the hatch of the capsule — freeing Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins from their cramped sardine accommodation. Don shared with me what very few people know — that capsule stunk to high heaven. Those astronauts breathed the same air for over 8 days. The body odor swirled around the shared supply of oxygen. But don’t feel too sorry for the astronauts because they say only the first few hours were the hardest because the olfactory senses deaden quickly.

I enjoyed his company because Don and Ofelia shared my interest in painting, photography, gemstones, guitar and family. In the last 3 years, he slowed down considerably. He’d been going in and out of the hospital. I could see the energy inside him hankered down by the confines of his earthly body. 

Don, this amazing war hero, was also a tax preparer. Last week I chatted with him and Ofelia and he was processing several tax returns. Ofelia told him they didn’t need the money but Don, the true soldier that he was, insisted this would be the last year of helping his friends. Last Tuesday, I got a text that Officer Don Warthen had passed away. The news hit me hard. I bowed down and prayed. One deep loss for Ofelia … one giant loss for mankind. (click here to see pictures of Don in action)

Some of my family members are going through very difficult emotional times. Too sensitive for me to share but this is dragging me down the most.

I was so busy, I didn’t realize  it was Good Friday until I started writing this TGIF edition. It makes sense now why this has been one of the saddest weeks for me. No TGIF jokes today.

Imagine it is year 33 AD. Early morning today, Judas betrayed his master with a kiss for a paltry sum of 30 pieces of silver (the exact price paid to the master of a slave if and when his slave was gored by an ox [Exodus 21:32]). Today Christ allowed Himself to be ridiculed, tortured and hung on a cross. Today Christ was buried just before dawn. This is today.

But wait till Sunday comes. It’s going to be epic. You know what I mean. If not, visit your local church this Sunday. No need for an invitation. Just walk in. Observe and ask questions. I’m sure many would love to explain the significance of today.

It’s a sad day but thank God for Good Friday. Because of what Christ did today, all our days in heaven will be joyful and glorious.

Blessings to you all.

Raoul

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