Savage Street Church of Christ

11_14_2018_Matt27_DonRuhl

Matthew 27

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • October 24, In the year of our Lord Christ, 2018

1. Matthew 27.1–2 | They Led Jesus Away

   1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
   

   1. Just think of the irony of plotting to kill the Son of God.
      1. If only they had thought on
         1. who He was and
         2. what they were attempting to do.
      2. See 1Co 2.7–8
   2. Also, think of the irony of binding the Son of God.
   3. Further, laugh at the idea of them delivering the Creator to a Roman governor.
2. Matthew 27.3–10 | The Remorse of Judas

   3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.”
   

   1. What prompted Judas to return the money?
      1. Is remorse necessary?
      2. Is it enough?
   2. What did Judas confess about Jesus?
   3. Another irony is in verse 6, that the leaders would not put the money back into the treasury, because it was the price of blood.
      1. Why could they not see what they were doing?
      2. They seemed to know that something was not right, but they must have thought that what they were doing was necessary.
   4. Even this action of Judas and the leaders the Lord had foretold.
3. Matthew 27.11–14 | Whatever You Say

   11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
   

   1. What did Jesus mean when He said, “It is as you say”?
      1. It would be like us saying,
      2. “Whatever you say.”
   2. Why did Jesus remain silent?
      1. It would not have done any good to speak up.
      2. It was ordained that He die and He would not stop that process.
4. Matthew 27.15–18 | A Taker of Life or the Giver of Life

   15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
   

   1. Why do you think the Romans has this custom of releasing a prisoner?
   2. Why do you think Pilate chose Barabbas?
   3. What did Pilate know was the motive of the Jewish leaders?
      1. What does it mean that they were envious of Jesus?
      2. How did their envy of Jesus affect the offer that Pilate made to them?
   4. Did Barabbas ever realize that Jesus took his place?
   5. Barabbas in some ways represents us.
5. Matthew 27.19 | Listen to Your Wife

   19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
   

   1. Do you believe that the Lord gave the wife of Pilate this dream?
   2. We wonder what she suffered.
   3. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent and you would think that this message from his wife would have persuaded him to what she said.
      1. Yet, let us put ourselves in Pilate’s place.
      2. Ultimately in this life, to whom did Pilate have to give an account?
      3. What did the Roman government want him to do?
         1. Maintain the peace.
         2. What could he have done to maintain the peace other than turning Jesus over to crucifixion? (See Acts 23.)
6. Matthew 27.20–23 | What Evil Has Jesus Done?

   20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
   

   1. Beware of crowds that just shout you down instead of reasoning.
   2. Beware of leaders who stir up the crowds to do harm.
   3. Do you have a problem with Pilate’s question in verse 22?
      1. Why was he asking the people what to do with Jesus?
      2. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent, but he wanted to know then what the people wanted done with Him.
   4. Keep in mind that the very people saying, “Let Him be crucified,” were the ones present on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
7. VII.Matthew 27.24–25 | When Your Own Mouth Condemns You

   24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” 25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
   

   1. What do you do when you lose control of a crowd?
   2. How did Pilate think that washing his hands, declaring Jesus was innocent, and telling them to crucify Jesus would prevent a riot?
   3. What did the people mean by their response?
   4. Did they not know what that meant, that they would suffer horribly?
8. VIII.Matthew 27.26–30 | Humiliating Jesus

   26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
   

   1. The simplicity of the words of the sentence of verse 26, say so much.
      1. Pilate released a man whom he and the Jews knew was guilty.
      2. Pilate and the Jews had an innocent man scourged.
      3. Pilate and the Jews had an innocent man crucified.
         1. The references to scourging and crucifixion
         2. would have shocked first century readers.
   2. Why did the Roman soldiers mock Jesus?
      1. Why not just crucify Him as Pilate ordered?
      2. The Romans hated the Jews and here the Romans had Jewish approval to abuse one of their own.
   3. Name all that the soldiers did to Jesus:
      1. Stripped Him
      2. Put a scarlet robe on Him
      3. Put a crown of thorns on His head
      4. Put a reed in His right hand
      5. Bowed in mockery before
      6. Spit on Him
      7. Stuck Him on the head with the reed
9. Matthew 27.31–34 | They Led Him Away to Crucify Him

   31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. 32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
   

   1. They had enough of their “fun” and led Him to His horrible death.
   2. Eventually another man had to carry the cross for Jesus.
      1. Was Jesus not moving fast enough for the Romans?
      2. Did Jesus fall as He carried the cross?
   3. Why would Jesus not drink the sour wine?
10. Matthew 27.35 | Then They Crucified Him

    35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

    “They divided My garments among them,
    And for My clothing they cast lots.”
    

    1. Do not run over those first few words quickly and thoughtlessly.
    2. What do you know about crucifixion?
    3. Even the dividing up of His garments was prophesied.
       1. This meant that Jesus was crucified naked, or nearly naked.
       2. That certainly would have added to His humiliation.
11. Matthew 27.36–37 | They Sat Down

    36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

    THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
    

    1. They sat down because crucifixions took a long time to kill a man.
       1. Most forms of capital punishment are quick.
       2. However, most men took 3 to 6 days to die.
       3. Therefore, after the initial excitement, they sat down and the soldiers kept watch over Him, guarding against anyone, such as His disciples, who might try to rescue Him.
    2. Why did they put the accusation against on the cross?
12. XII.Matthew 27.38–49 | Blaspheming and Mocking Jesus

    38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. 39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
    

    1. Do you think it was significant that Jesus was crucified between two robbers?
       1. It made Jesus look like the epitome of a criminal.
       2. Those two men took from people and this made Jesus look like them.
    2. Name the three groups who blasphemed, mocked, and reviled Jesus:
       1. The people passing by
       2. The Jewish leaders
       3. The robbers
          1. Note that both robbers reviled Jesus.
          2. However, we know from Luke’s account that one of them had a change of heart.
    3. Summarize the challenge they offered Jesus.
13. XIII.Matthew 27.45–49 | The Greatest Pain of Jesus

    45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
    

    1. Why was it dark?
       1. Some people think a storm or dark clouds came over.
       2. I believe the sun refused to shine its light on the puny creatures who were brutalizing its Creator.
       3. It undoubtedly represented the Father forsaking His Son.
    2. Jesus cried out after six hours on the cross.
       1. Why did He cry out?
       2. What was He experiencing?
       3. What did He quote?
       4. Explain why the Father forsook Jesus.
    3. The Gospel Accounts quote seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.
       1. However, Matthew only quotes this one.
       2. Yet, it was significant, because He quoted David.
    4. Why did Jesus ask that question?
       1. It truly happened.
       2. There is an academic answer.
          1. However, was this about academics?
          2. What was going on inside of Jesus?
    5. Why did some think that Jesus called for Elijah?
       1. Elijah means, “My God is Jah” [Jehovah or Yahweh]
       2. In both English and Greek you can see how close the words are:
          1. Eli
          2. Elijah
             1. Now imagine having hung on a cross for six hours.
             2. Imagine all the things He has already suffered.
             3. Psalm 22 prophesied of His extreme thirst.
             4. Imagine the weight of the body pulling on the arms, hence chest.
             5. He spoke with strong intensity.
             6. His words could have sounded as though He was calling on the prophet.
    6. While some offered Him wine in mercy, some still could not have mercy as He struggled for life.
14. XIV.Matthew 27.50–53 | Jesus Yielded Up His Spirit

    50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
    

    1. In a short time, He cried out again, and the other Gospel Accounts tell us what He said, and then He yielded up His spirit.
       1. This shows that He had full control of when to die.
       2. John 10.17–18
    2. Describe what happened when He died:
       1. The veil was torn in two from top to bottom.
          1. What does the direction tell you?
          2. What did this also picture?
          3. See Hebrews 10.19–22
          4. See Hebrews 9.12
       2. The earth quaked and the rocks split.
          1. Is it possible that this was worldwide?
          2. If so, it may explain the cracking of large rocks all over the place.
    3. When did the dead saints rise from the dead?
       1. What did they do?
15. Matthew 27.54–56 | This Was the Son of God

    54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
    

    1. What did the centurion and those with him do after creation’s reaction?
       1. They feared greatly.
       2. They confessed the Divine Sonship of Jesus.
    2. Many women had devoted themselves to Jesus.
16. XVI.Matthew 27.57–61 | A Rich Man

    57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
    

    1. How many graves and how many burial sites had already been taken?
       1. Yet, this man was wealthy enough to have a tomb carved out!
    2. Now, think of it, they buried the Son of God.
17. XVII.Matthew 27.62–66 | Trying to Prevent a Resurrection

    62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
    

    1. The chief priests and Pharisees could not be satisfied.
       1. They believed that the death of Jesus was not enough.
       2. They had evidently heard of His prophecies of His resurrection.
    2. Pilate had no choice but to them what they wanted to secure the tomb.