Early this morning American time, while most of America was asleep at 3 AM, the funeral for the Pope occurred. I watched it on YouTube early this morning. What struck my wife (Jenny) was the high pomp and circumstance at this funeral compared to Christ’s funeral. Think of it: All the royal and religious dignitaries were there “dressed to the nines” at the Pope’s funeral and the Pope himself was buried with tremendous  honor and died peacefully with honor. Yet our God-King of Kings was crucified on a shameful Roman cross, with the religious leaders and Roman soldiers mocking Him. He was hastily wrapped in spices and cloth, then buried quickly in a nearby cave, as the Jewish Sabbath was set to begin. He died an excruciating death, suffering all day in agony, with all the weight of the world’s sin and judgement placed upon Him. When He said, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me”, the murderer the crowd released earlier in the day (Barabbas) was skipping about in Jerusalem’s temple plaza, likely exclaiming: “Wow, thank you, Sanhedrin, for choosing me!” Everything about Christ’s death was an unholy injustice by wicked men. But it was God’s divine plan so we could be released from eternal condemnation and receive His redemption by faith. Yet, even though it was God’s plan (Isaiah 53), the difference between this religious “high church” funeral in an ornate basilica for a mortal dignitary, to that of our own eternal God-King, is quite striking. At least it seems so to me!