Chapters 21 to 27 of Matthew’s Gospel focus on the last week of Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem. This chapter reveals how Jesus paid the price for sin and reconciled us to God.
Jesus paid the price.
Judas was so overcome with guilt that he took his own life. He could not forgive himself for betraying Jesus. The purchase of the potter’s field has deep significance because it points to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. The 30 pieces of silver used to buy the potter’s field points to the price Jesus paid to redeem us. In Greek, the word stranger (ξένος) is used to describe a person who does not know God. We were once spiritually separated from God, but Jesus paid the price to reconcile us back to God (Ephesians 2:19). Only Jesus could pay the price for us because He is sinless. Even in denying responsibility for Jesus’ death, the chief priests fulfilled the prophecy concerning the Messiah.
Read Matthew 27:1-10
Look up the Greek word for stranger in Matthew 27:7. Who does this word describe?
What can we learn about the significance of the blood of Jesus?
Jesus took our place.
Even in the face of false accusations, Jesus remains silent. After questioning Jesus, Pilate concludes that Jesus is innocent. Even Pilate’s wife receives a dream that Jesus is righteous. During the feast, the people had an opportunity to choose one prisoner they wanted to release. Even though Jesus was innocent, the people chose to free Barabbas instead. Barabbas was guilty of starting an insurrection and murder (Luke 23:19). The name Barabbas means “son of the father” in Aramaic. Barabbas was deserving of punishment but was set free. You and I are also guilty of rebelling against God. The penalty that we deserve for our sin is death. Jesus did not deserve death, but He took our place on the cross. Because of what Jesus has done, we have been totally set free.
In verse 25, the people proclaimed “His blood be upon us and on our children”. They said it to claim responsibility for Jesus’ death. But what they did not realise, is that the blood of Jesus would bring salvation to all humanity.
Read Matthew 27:11-26
Look up Luke 23:19. What was Barabbas guilty of?
How would you feel if you were Barabbas?
Jesus made a way.
After Barabbas was released, Jesus was led away to be tortured. Jesus’ heavenly glory was exchanged for a scarlet robe. His divine authority was exchanged for a reed. A crown of thorns was put on Jesus’ head, a symbol that He took the curse of sin. Jesus laid aside His majesty and endured humiliation so that we would not have to.
Jesus was brutalised to the point that He was unable to carry His cross. Yet He chose not to consume gall even though it would helped Him numb the pain. He was ridiculed as He hung on the cross. People wanted Him to prove His identity as the Son of God by coming down from the cross. But Jesus hung there for the sake of our eternal salvation.
All the sins of the world, including yours and mine, were put on Jesus at the cross. The physical darkness is a symbol of the spiritual darkness Jesus was experiencing. Jesus was totally forsaken by everyone, even God. For the first time, God had to turn away from looking at His Son because of the sin Jesus carried. Jesus experienced separation from God so that we would not have to be separated from God. The words of Jesus in verse 46 are quoted from Psalm 22:1. Psalm 22 ends with God delivering the Psalmist from all his enemies.
John 19:30 tells us that the last words of Jesus were “it is finished”. Jesus hung on the cross until He had paid for all the sins of the world. When He died, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. This curtain was a 18m high and 10cm thick. God tore the veil that separated humanity from Him. You and I can come into the presence of God because of what Christ has done. The dead were also raised to life and appeared to many in Jerusalem. When the Gentile centurion saw all these miracles, He could not deny that Jesus was the Son of God.
Read Matthew 27:27-54
Can you describe what Jesus was experiencing during His crucifixion?
How do you feel after reading what Jesus endured for you?
to be continued…
Anesti Ministries 