Matthew 27: Crucified (6)
Pray Psalm 22.23, 24.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.
Sing Psalm 22.23-25.
Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the LORD, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.
For He has not despised the anguish of our King,
nor from Him hid His eyes, Who knew such suffering.
Let praise arise from all who love and serve the Ruler of the skies!
Read Matthew 27.-1-66; meditate on verses 62-66.
Why did they think that Jesus was a “deceiver”?
Prepare.
1. Why did the religious leaders want to guard the tomb?
2. How did they regard the whole life and ministry of Jesus?
Meditate.
The religious leaders of Israel dismissed the entire ministry of Jesus as a “deception” (v. 64). In a sense, they were correct. Not that Jesus was deceiving anybody. He was always upfront and public in His claims, teaching, and good works. He was clear about His provenance and mission, and He never held back from explaining that He was the Son of God. Why did they consider Him a “deceiver”?
Because they were deceived. But not by Jesus. The source of Israel’s deception was the same as continues to deceive people today. Jesus nailed it in John 8.44: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” He would continue to deceive them following the resurrection, and he is deceiving multitudes yet today.
The religious leaders feared that Jesus’ disciples might be in on this “deception”, and that they would come “by night” and steal Jesus’ body, then declare Him to be risen from the dead (vv. 62, 63). Clearly, they understood that Jesus had made the claim of His rising (v. 64). So they thought a Roman guard might keep the tomb secure, and that would be the end of the matter. Pilate, who seemed like he’d had enough of these people, told them to use their private guard, which they did (vv. 65, 66). The tomb was closed and sealed, so that it would be possible to know if it had been opened, and it looked like everything was set.
And, indeed, it was.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Do you ever wonder today, when people are bloviating about this and that:
Do they really believe what they’re saying?
Are they really deceived or are they busy trying to deceive us?
Or do they know the truth but think that by much wordiness they can suppress the truth?
It does give one pause as to the intentions of the Pharisees and chief priests:
Did they wonder, in the deepest recesses of their hearts, if this Jesus, might in fact, really rise from the dead?
There was just that shred of truth, that mere possibility, information that they had, no doubt, gleaned from the Old Testament Scriptures, that a Messiah was promised, and this Jesus might really be Him.
And heaven help them, if He was, what about their esteemed reputations?
Where would that leave them?
Would they have to give up their authority to Someone else?
Could this affect their bottom line? Their popularity? Their power?
“So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard” (Matt. 27.66).
Matthew at least tried to give them some respect by his grandiose use of alliteration.
Otherwise, they looked pretty dumb. Just saying.
They gave God so many ways to prove their ineptness—on full display, by their own hand.
But when you choose to support a lie, all truth must be checked at the door.
And this Messiah, this Jesus, is The Truth, and cannot be suppressed.
Not in a grave, not in heaven nor on earth.
No matter how much security you put in place, how many stones you seal, or how many guards you set—
when Jesus is ready to fulfill the truth, burst the bonds of sin and death and rise victoriously—
He will just do it!
“I AM the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14.6).
“If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8.31, 32).
“Blessed is the Name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raise up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
and light dwells with Him” (Dan. 2.20-22).
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End,
Who is and
Who was and
Who is to come,
the Almighty” (Rev. 1.8).
No amount of super glue can prevent the Truth from overcoming the lie.
Reflect.
1. How can we recognize when something in the world is out to deceive us?
2. What are the best ways to guard ourselves against lies and deceit?
3. How can we help our fellow believers to stand firm in the truth against the lies and deceit of our day?
Since the sepulcher was sealed, there could be no funny business. So then the proof of His resurrection has become incontrovertible by what they themselves have put forward. For because the tomb was sealed, there was no deceitfulness at work. But if there was no sleight of hand and the sepulcher was found empty, it is clear that He has risen, plainly and incontrovertibly. Do you see how even against their will His enemies contend for the proof of the truth? John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 89.1
Pray Psalm 22.26-28.
Jesus has defeated death, and we are the heirs of eternal life. Give thanks and praise, then go forth seeking the Kingdom of God.
Sing Psalm 22.26-28.
Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King
Then all the poor shall eat and praise with us the LORD.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!
All nations shall repent and hasten to the LORD.
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The LORD is King! His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast features excerpts from the book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column continues our study of “Everyday Christianity”. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
