In the game show 1 vs 100, a contestant takes on the "mob". He or she answers a question and matches it up against the 100. The contestant then has the choice to take the money or the mob.
Jesus was 1 who faced a mob. No promise of money either. He faced the mob that came to get him with swords and clubs.
Matthew 26 : 55-56 (The Message) Then Jesus addressed the mob: "What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me.
He faced a mob of Sanhedrin who were looking for any evidence to put Jesus to death. They were scared of him as people saw the miracles he did and believed in him.
Matthew 26:59-63 (NIV) The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
Finally, after being taken to the governor, Pilate, the mob demanded that Jesus be crucified.
Luke 23:23-25 (The Message) But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.
Jesus was then beaten and forced to carry his own cross to the place where he would be put on the cross for the sins of the world to fulfill prophecy that was written long before.
Isaiah 42:1-7 (NIV) The Servant of the Lord
1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope."
5 This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
I've always struggled with why the day Jesus dies would be called "Good Friday". What's good about it? As I'm reading the above verses, I'm thinking it wasn't good for Jesus. It was good for us. He did it all for you and me: He will bring justice, He will be our light, He will open our blinded eyes, and free us from our earthly prison. God is for us...all the time.
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