[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 27
Bible Verses:
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5)
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:24-25)
“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.” (Matthew 27:28-30)
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” (Matthew 27:46)
“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)
“Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:59-61)
JUDAS HANGS HIMSELF (vs. 1-10)
When Jesus was condemned, Judas realized his mistake and was seized with remorse. So he returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and elders. But the chief priests did not accept and said: “That is your responsibility” (v. 4). So, Judas threw the money into the temple, went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests used the blood money to buy a potter’s field called Field of Blood which served as a burial place for foreigners. This fulfilled the prophecy of prophet Jeremiah saying: “They took the 30 silver coins the price set on him by the people of Israel and they used them to buy the potter’s field as the Lord commanded me: (vs. 9-10)
JESUS BEFORE PILATE (vs. 11-26)
In order to free himself from guilt, Pilot let the people make a choice either to release Barabbas, a notorious prisoner or Jesus. The crowd chose to release Barabbas and had Jesus executed. Pilate was warned by his wife and his own conscience that Jesus was innocent, yet he deliberately avoid making the right decision and gave Christ over to be crucified. Even though Pilate washed his hands and declared to the crowd: “I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility” (v. 24), he was not guiltless. The request of the people “Let his blood be on us and on our children” (v. 25) was fulfilled. The ruin of Jerusalem in AD 70, the scattering and persecuting of the Jews and the future wrath of God on the land of Israel during tribulation are all answers to their requests.
THE SOLDIERS MOCK JESUS ( vs. 27-31)
The soldier took Jesus and stripped him. They put a scarlet robe on him and set a crown of thorns on his head. They mocked him, spit on him and struck him with staff. Then they led him away to be crucified.
THE CRUCIFIXION (vs. 32-43)
The soldiers drafted Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. They came to Golgotha(which means the Place of the Skull) and crucified him. Jesus was offered wine to drink which may have helped dreaden the pain but he refused it because he wanted to drink the cup of suffering. After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. Then they placed a written charged against him – ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. Those who passed by hurled insults and mocked him saying: “If he is the Son, save himself or let God rescue him. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross and save himself, then we will believe him.” (vs. 42-43)
THE DEATH OF JESUS (vs. 45-55)
There was darkness over all land from the 6th to 9th hour. Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice : “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v. 46). Then he gave up his spirit.
At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn into two. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke opened and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. The centurion guarding Jesus were terrified and declared: “Surely, he was the Son of God” (v. 54). Among the women there were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
THE BURIAL OF JESUS (vs. 57-61)
A rich man from Arithmathea named Joseph came to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He took the body, wrapped in a clean linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
THE GUARD AT THE TOMB (vs. 62-66)
The chief priest remembered the word of Jesus that He will rise again in three days. So he ordered to secure the tomb by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
LESSONS TO LEARN:
A. The love of money is the root cause of Judas’ betrayal. Beware of GREED!
B. Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent by washing his hands in front of them. But why did he succumbed to the wishes of the Jews? Because he was afraid of rebellion that would affect his position. For him, self-interest surpasses justice. Have you in one way or another let your self-interest prevail against the truth?
C. HOW DID JESUS REACT DURING HIS SUFFERING?
- He did not reply when accused. Let us exercise discernment knowing there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. (Ec.. 3:7)
- He did not retaliate when abused. He was obedient to Father’s will to be our Savior. Obeying God’s will demands patience and submission.
- He did not accept the wine offered to him. He did not allow himself to ease suffering without God’s permission. Do not accept solutions contrary to God’s will.
- He did not come down from the cross. He can come down to prove that he is the Son of God. But he didn’t because suffering precedes glory and cross precedes crown. Always do what God says, not what men asked.
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