Matthew 27 reminds me of the old joke, the definition of Minor surgery, is surgery done on someone else! Any surgery done on me is Major to me. This chapter is uncomfortable and easy to hurry through until you see yourself in it. In my youth, I understood that Jesus died for mankind, but today I see that He died for me. After His arrest, the powerful congratulated themselves, and they “made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor”. At the same time, Judas, who had betrayed Him with a kiss, “was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests”, saying “I have betrayed innocent blood”. It is important to note that many feel remorse after being caught, but feeling bad about getting busted is completely different from making a change as a result. Repentance simply means to turn away from an action or behavior. The religious leaders dismissed Judas with “That’s your responsibility”. Judas “went away and hanged himself”. The grieving mother blames herself, but Judas like every tormented soul had the option to seek God’s mercy. I know this, there is no unpardonable sin. Restoration is available to everyone and God loves to reclaim the tormented. The suffering that follows includes every human pain, and all of it was nailed to the cross.
Next we read “Jesus stood before the governor”. Pontius Pilate was the worst form of politician; he was concerned only for his own political career. He asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” The Religious leaders claimed He was a political threat to Caesar. This was a mocking title. He said only, “You have said so”, but “When He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He gave no answer… to the great amazement of the governor”. Pilate’s solution was to take a poll, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Apparently at the urging of the religious leaders, the crowd chose Barabbas. Pilate washed his hands saying “I am innocent of this man’s blood” so “he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified”. He was likely given 39 lashes, because 40 was a virtual death sentence.
The Roman soldiers delighted in the abuse of condemned criminals, “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… and mocked Him… They spit on Him… and struck Him on the head again and again”. “When they had crucified Him… Above His head they placed the written charge: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS”. Our tendency is to look away from unpleasantness, so many ignore the cross. Some look for blame, and some simply ask “Why?” Hanging there between two common rebels, “Those who passed by hurled insults at Him… ‘Come down from the cross, if You are the Son of God!’” This is where it becomes personal. Sin separates us from God, and there on the cross, the sinless Man accepted the penalty for my actions. Every one of my unkind thoughts and rebellious acts was judged there, separating the Son from the Father. He cried out in horrific loneliness, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” We read, “When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit”. Do not miss the immediate result, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”. This was the multi-layered curtain that separated The Holy place from the priests. By His death, I was given access to God Almighty. The Roman Centurion was terrified at the sights described and only said, “Surely He was the Son of God!” As evening approached a wealthy man asked Pilate for the body which was “wrapped… in a clean linen cloth” and placed in new tomb cut out of the rock. “A big stone in front of the entrance” and a guard was assigned. My friend, did you know this sacrifice was done for you too? “He took up our pain and bore our suffering… He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4). Is it time for a Major healing?