Jesus: Tortured; Executed; Buried - - -

(From Tintoretto, via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.)
(Detail from Tintorett's "Crucifixion.")

Nailed to a cross after a night and day of torture and humiliation, Jesus was "raised high and greatly and greatly exalted ... so marred was his look beyond that of man."

"³ See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.

"Even as many were amazed at him - so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals -

"So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it."
(Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Today's readings start with the prophet Isaiah's words, and end on a gloomy note:

"Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried.

"So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by."
(John 19:41-19:42)

We call today "Good Friday," which isn't as crazy as it might seem. That's because of what happened a few days later.

Today's readings:

• Isaiah 52:13-53:12
• Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
• John 18:1-19:42

Related posts:

• "Jesus: Love, Death, and All That"
  (March 16, 2014)
• " 'In the Beginning:' a Continuing Story"
  (December 22, 2013)
• "Golgotha, Rome, and Words that Mean Something"
  (April 28, 2013)
• " 'But who do you say that I am?' "
  (October 10, 2012)
• "The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead"
  (March 11, 2012)