Category: Matthew

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day five)

There are many people that share experiences and conversations with Jesus in the gospel narratives. Ever wonder what happened to them? Did they follow Christ? Did they influence others to become believers? Would they become leaders and teachers?

Remember Paul Harvey’s radio program- “The Rest of the Story”?

We get a little snippet about the “rest of the story” for Simon the Cyrene. We look to Mark 15:21 to find that not only is his name listed, but also the names of his sons. If he was just a member of the crowd that day, how did the gospel writers know his name and the names of his sons? Maybe Simon’s encounter was life changing, not only for him but for his family as well. It is possible they all became believers and joined the community of believers to the degree that their names were known?

Reflect back to your first experience/encounter with Jesus. Remember how life changing it was? Will you tell and influence others?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day four)

They were clueless…everyone surrounding Jesus as He went to the cross had a complete misunderstanding of what was going on. They were totally disoriented to God and His plan. Their eyes were blind and they could not see. Each one saw it differently than the next. There were so many stories…Simon of Cyrene; the Roman soldiers on cross duty; the two robbers crucified with Jesus; the unnamed crowd passing by; the Chief priests, scribes and elders; the bystanders at the cross; the Centurion; and the saints who rose from the dead…each one saw it differently. There is one more story though…it is our story. How do we see Jesus and His crucifixion? Do we see it as a tragedy that should never have happened or a grossly unfair event that trampled the rights of a human? Or, do we see it as a necessary payment for our own sin? It was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. Ask God to orient you to His understanding…see the cross for what it is!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day three)

“They came out of the tombs…” This little section of the passage can seem outlandish: Jesus dies, an earthquake occurs, tombs get split open, and the bodies of previously dead holy people come alive, walk into the city, and appear to a significant number of residents. What? But consider: The death of Jesus was the last act of death’s mastery over the human race—or more precisely, it was death’s first failure. Death had always had the final say over families, communities, nations, the world. Humanity could never answer it—only accept it. But after Jesus’s final breath, death would no longer go unanswered. In this new reality, resurrection isn’t bizarre, it’s the way life goes. Tombs are no longer everlasting places of entry, but now permanent places of exit, for all who count on Christ.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day two)

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross. vs. 32

Simon of Cyrene – who was he? What was he doing there? Was he in town for the Passover, perhaps there to take part in a sacrifice or ritual? Was he a party to angry mob that had feverishly demanded the release of a convicted killer instead of the innocent Jesus? It is as if it was a passing thought to put this account in the passion narrative. This man named Simon from the town of Cyrene was forced to carry the cross of the Christ.

Like all of us Simon had an encounter with Jesus. He may not have been a part of anything that led up to his role, but that did not mean he didn’t need to meet the Savior. Jesus didn’t die to just save those who angrily forced this crucifixion. He didn’t endure the torture for so the scattered disciples could be absolved. Jesus followed this path so people like Simon could meet him face to face. We will all be called to some accountability for what we did with this Jesus. Will you carry his cross?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day one)

I am amazed and saddened by the behavior of the chief priests  on the day of the crucifixion. To come to  Golgotha was an extra trip.  For what?  To ridicule a dying man?  Give it a rest!

They had good information. “He saved others” they said in v 42.  “He trusts in God” they reported in v 43.  Accurate summary of Christ’s life and ministry.  But crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals–designed to make death as painful and prolonged as possible.  Why couldn’t they see the injustice?

Common problem for religious people.  Right facts (about God).  Wrong heart (toward God).  Correct info.  Unsurrendered ego.  Like Jonah who knew about God, even obeyed Him, but his heart never changed, these lost and foolish men knew about Christ, but never come to faith and salvation.

“The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard it.”–Hebrews 4:2

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day seven)

“Pilate took some water and washed his hands before the crowd and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood.’ “–27:24

“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”–Martin Luther King Jr.

Pilate claimed to be innocent.  Washed his hands in public.  Made a show of it.  But, was he?

Maybe, if sin is only a wrong deed done.  But if avoiding duty and refusing opportunity is also sin, then Pilate has no claim.

“We did not HATE you”, the world will say to Christ on the last day. “But, did you LOVE me?” the King will say, referencing His own command.

“We did not HURT anyone” the defense will continue.  “But did you HELP?  Did you actively and courageously stand and serve?”

Was Pilate innocent?  Not if God EXPECTS of us and DESERVES from us a courageous defense of the truth.

 

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day five)

One of the saddest descriptions of discipleship in Matthew 47:58, “But Peter was following Him at a distance”. When following at a distance, it can be easy to ask the wrong question. Teenagers ask it all the time. “How far is too far?” “Can I do this and still be considered faithful and pure?” “Can I choose this and still be labeled as godly?” Don’t be so quick to look down on teens. Adults do it as well. We are just more sophisticated about it.

What influences were at work in Peter’s heart? Fear? Uncertainty? Frustration? Helplessness? Anger? Any sound familiar? Maybe the question we should ask in those moments is “How close is too close?” We can be intentional to draw “near” to The Lord and His people.

Hebrews 10: ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart  ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day four)

Jesus had already spent time in prayer before the arrest in the garden. (Matthew 26:36-46) He had once again confirmed with God that He must suffer and die for the sins of the world. It was settled in His mind. He was willing, if it was God’s will. Now, as He faced His accusers, He answered only one question…”are you the King of the Jews?” “It is as you say,” He said. Once He had answered that question, there was no other need to respond. Jesus saw the bigger picture…He would not be distracted by accusations and defenses that would not matter. It was unnerving to Pilate, but Jesus’ eyes were on the cross. Where are your eyes? Are you singularly focused on the will of God? Is it settled in your mind what God wants of you? Don’t be distracted…pray, discern, and then obey!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day three)

“Friend, do what you came for.” We can read this as if Jesus were telling Judas, as we might phrase it, “Just get this over with.” After all, here was a betrayal by a (publicly apparent) friend. But was Jesus biting the bullet here? Certainly our Lord possessed courage, toughness, and–as evidenced by the term “friend”, which he used without irony and with absolute sincerity–love. But the “let’s do this” frame of mind would necessitate his holding something in reserve in order to bring off the crowning feat of victory. That sounds satisfying, but we need a Savior, not an action hero. Jesus spoke to Judas of sacrifice, not grit. In Paul’s grand language, Jesus “emptied himself.” He didn’t bite the bullet. He took it. Do you know he did this for you?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day two)

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 

It seems that arguing by way of shouting is not a new concept. What can we, as modern civilized people, learn from this exchange between Pilate and the mob? Civil discourse is one of the greatest attributes of mankind. The free exchange of ideas between thinking, thoughtful people. This, however, is not the way we behave. More often than not, and this has been great exacerbated by social media, we spew vitriol in every direction and refuse to engage others. Where does this lead? Great division.

Pilate, a pagan, was trying to do the right thing. Can we be so blind in our convictions that we refuse to see the true path of righteousness. Fighting to be right led the Jews to crucify Jesus, what will it get you?