August 8, Matthew 27
The greatest demonstration of love and a chilling exhibition of cruelty are on display in Jesus’ trial and death. Film makers have employed both the subtle understatement and graphic realism to convey the intensity of Jesus’ suffering. If we must divert our eyes from the gruesome brutality, there are other places we might fix our gaze. As we zoom out from the shocking close-up of Jesus on the cross, there are other people in the picture we need to see. If we focus on some faces in the crowd, we may find ourselves, or someone very much like us.
We don’t want to think so, but could we be Judas? Was he disillusioned with the direction the kingdom movement had taken? Was he trying to force Messiah to act? We don’t know. But we do know he betrayed his Master for the price of a slave. We do know he perverted a gesture of love to mark Jesus for the enemies.
Have we ever sold our Master cheaply, making a deal that betrayed our lack of loyalty to him? Have we been hypocrites — talking and singing about how much we love him, but bearing little evidence of that love beyond our words?
Pilate is another infamous character in the story. Pilate questioned Jesus, and was amazed at his silence in the face of accusations. His wife warned the governor to have nothing to do with him. As the crowd got louder, Pilate claimed he
was innocent of Jesus’ blood. Plenty of people in the crowd were willing to let the blood be on them. So he beat Jesus, and turned him over to soldiers with orders to execute him. Could we be the Roman governor, whose actions sealed Jesus’ death sentence? Since he died on the cross for our sins, it would seem so. The writing above Jesus’ head on the cross was in Pilate’s hand, but the sin debt he paid by his innocent death was yours and mine.
I also think about myself when I see Barabbas, the notorious murderer who was released from prison when the crowd asked for him instead of Jesus. Jesus took Barabbas’ place, just as he took ours when he died on the cross. The insurrectionist was set free, the shackles removed from his hands and feet because someone was going to die in his place. That sounds a lot like you and me, doesn’t it? Do you think Barabbas stayed to watch what happened to Jesus, or did he just steal a glance over his shoulder at the bloodied prisoner before disappearing into the angry crowd?
Do you remember the song, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” I know I was there in the sense that he was dying for my sins. But as I look at the faces in the crowd around the cross, I sense I have a lot in common with some people who were there the day Jesus died.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—August 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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