Matthew 27: Crucified (2)
Pray Psalm 142.1, 2.
I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
Sing Psalm 142.1, 2 (5, 6).
Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth
With my voice, O LORD, I cry—hear my plea for mercy, LORD!
My complaint mounts up on high, bringing You my troubled word:
Refrain vv. 5, 6
LORD, You are my Refuge strong! O receive my plaintive song!
Read Matthew 27.1-26; meditate on verses 15-26.
How would you describe the attitude of the people toward Jesus? Why?
Prepare.
1. Who wanted Barabbas to go free?
2. Who wanted Jesus to be crucified?
Meditate.
The little drama with Barabbas (vv. 15-18, 20-23) is designed to show us two things. First, it sets before us a picture of what Jesus has achieved for us: freedom! Second, it reminds us that such freedom must be jealously guarded. The same people who welcomed Jesus with salutes and praises just a few days ago, were easily persuaded to call for His crucifixion. They had no power to resist the influence of angry, jealous leaders, and no courage to stand up against the haplessness of Rome.
All of which reminds us why we need the Holy Spirit, for in ourselves, on our own strength, we are all Barabbas, and we are all that mindless, shrieking crowd.
The mention of the dream of Pilate’s wife is curious (v. 19); but it serves as a final reminder of the righteousness of Jesus, making His crucifixion an unjust judgment on the part of men trapped in the lie.
Pilate considered that, by washing his hands publicly, he could exonerate himself from all guilt in this unjust act (v. 24). Isn’t that, too, like so many of us? We think a little external show of piety is all it takes to make us right with God and His justice. So we go to church, put on our Christian happy face, and nod in agreement with the sermon. All so that others can see that we are certainly not guilty of trashing Jesus and denying His rule in our lives. A close reading of Psalm 50 should remind us that God is not impressed with externals when the proper internal motivations and attendant obedience are lacking.
The people spoke prophetically in verse 25 when they invoked the blood of Jesus on themselves and their children. One way or the other, Jesus’ blood will determine their eternal destiny. His blood is sufficient to pay for all the sins of all people; but it is efficient unto salvation only in those who believe. All who become covered with His blood, within and without, washed and thoroughly cleansed by it, will know eternal life in His Kingdom.
The deal done (v. 26), Jesus is handed over to the Romans. They knew what to do from there.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Raging hypocrisy has been the modus operandi for everyone involved in the murder of the Son of God.
It started with the high priest, chief priests, scribes, and elders postulating it might not be prudent to kill Him during the feast—the bad timing might inflame the folks, and it might even be perceived as ungodly (Matt. 26.3-5).
Then they were confused about how to take back the betrayal money from Judas because, it couldn’t be put back in the treasury—heaven help us—as it was “blood money”. So, they decided to buy a cheap graveyard to bury strangers in. Problem solved (Matt. 27.5-8).
Next, Pontius Pilate, who knew Jesus was innocent of any wrongdoing, and who had been warned by his wife “to have nothing to do with that Just Man”, thought a good public handwashing would do the trick of removing all guilt from himself and his part in the unlawful killing about to take place (Matt. 27.19, 24).
Finally, we have last week’s praising multitude, who, when given an opportunity to do the right thing, chose to do poorly. Who were not content only with one hateful mistake but added egregiously to it by screaming: “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matt. 27.25).
Each of the aforementioned hypocritical acts are still available to folks today.
We, in our own peculiar ways, could fall through temptation into sin similarly.
Those people did not have a corner on hypocrisy.
It is a multi-generational equal opportunity problem.
Daily, we are faced with the same question they were.
Long before any religious tracts were ever written,
or the handy-dandy Four Spiritual Laws were conceived,
before Billy Graham ever gave his first altar call,
Pontius Pilate presented the real Ultimate Question:
“What then shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” (Matt. 27.22).
What will we do with Him?
Will we follow Him as Savior and Lord?
Will we be faithful always to Him?
Will we lay down our lives for Him?
Will we be obedient to His Laws?
Will we love Him as we ought?
Do. We. Love. Him. With all our heart, soul, and mind?
How would you answer Pilate’s question?
How can we help others answer Pilate’s question correctly?
Kingdom living starts when we get it right!
“Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!” (Ps. 31.23).
Reflect.
1. What are some situations that might lead a believer into hypocrisy? What would these look like?
2. What can we do to guard our souls against hypocritical acts?
3. What can you do to help a fellow believer who has fallen into hypocrisy?
Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and murder their souls? Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 27.11-25
Pray Psalm 142.3-7.
Trust in the Lord. Declare your confidence in Him, and call on Him to set your soul free from every care and distraction, that you might serve Him fully today.
Sing Psalm 142.3-7.
Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth
When my spirit faints away, You my falt’ring pathway know;
where I take my journey they traps have hidden to my woe.
Refrain vv. 5, 6
LORD, You are my Refuge strong! O receive my plaintive song!
LORD, look to my right and see: None takes notice of my plight.
Is there refuge left for me? Is my soul out of Your sight?
Refrain
Hear my cry, LORD, I am low! They are strong who seek my soul.
Jesus frees from every foe; He will keep and make me whole!
Refrain
Out of prison lead me, LORD; thanks and praise to You shall be.
Righteous men armed with Your Word will Your grace bestow on me.
Refrain
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.
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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.
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