Lk. 24:1-12 - "Why look for the living among the dead?"

      As we saw earlier, the women among Jesus' followers had gone with Nicodemus and Joseph when they mournfully carried Jesus' body to Joseph's new tomb for temporary burial. It was Friday afternoon, and the Sabbath was nearing, so the ladies went home to prepare the spices for Jesus' final entombment. They had hoped to complete their sad, loving task of preparing Jesus' body, but as the Sabbath neared, they realized they could not finish. It would have to wait until Sunday morning.
     Jesus' followers kept the Sabbath as the Fourth Commandment taught. Jesus had always practiced this, and they followed His example. Jesus ignored the human, man-made traditions about the Sabbath, even flaunting them at times; but He followed God's commandments in letter and spirit. After all, He had created the Sabbath for humanity (Mk. 2:27-28; Gen. 2:1-2), and His purpose for it had not changed. In the New Covenant God's Law is not changed; it is written on the heart (Heb. 10:16), which was always His plan.
     Now it is early Sunday morning, and Luke tells us they are up early to complete their plan. "Very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb" (v.1).
     Of course they found the stone rolled away and Jesus' body gone, which greatly frightened and bewildered them. "While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them" (v. 4). Another Gospel simply said there were two men in white garments, but Luke has investigated the story carefully and interviewed the witnesses. He tells us their clothes "gleamed like lightning." They were angels!
     "In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground. . ." (v. 5) Then the angels speak to them, and the message they give is more detailed and significant than the other Gospels: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"
     These words have become the Christian proclamation exclaimed at every Easter, and they contain the validating fact of our faith. Jesus not only died, but He rose from the dead!
     It is wonderful that Jesus died for our sins, but if He had remained in the grave, it would have proved Him a liar and faker. His resurrection confirms His identity as Son of God and Savior and substantiates His predictions that He would lay down His life for us and take it up again by His own power (see Jn. 10:14-18).
     That is what Paul means when he writes, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:17-20).
     I love how the angels announce Jesus' resurrection to the women. In essence they say, "Why are you coming to a graveyard to look for someone who is living? Nobody goes to the cemetery to look for a walking, breathing human being. Jesus isn't dead; He is fully alive, filled with His energetic purpose and plans. Death didn't stop Him. The grave can't hold Him. He is alive!
     Then they begin the word of "re-membering," reminding them of Jesus’ words:
     "Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'" (vs. 6-7). Remember? He told you so many times, but you didn't want to believe it. Your concepts of an earthly Messiah didn't let you believe it. But "remember" because what Jesus said was true. "Then," Luke says, "they remembered His words" (v. 8)
     They remembered, but in their surprise and shock, they still didn't fully get it. It would take many hours to fully grasp and believe He was truly alive, and many days to re-learn everything Jesus had tried to teach them about what the prophecies said.
     The women rushed back to tell the Eleven, but they didn't believe it either. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb" (v. 12).  I love Peter's enthusiasm; He is always first to jump--into the water, into conversation, even into trouble. I think that's partly why Jesus chose him. He saw a curiosity, an eagerness, a warm-heartedness, and an impulsiveness that would help Peter do great things for the Kingdom someday, when truly surrendered to Jesus.
     "Bending over, he (Peter) saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what happened" (v. 12). If someone stole the body, it is likely they would have taken it still wrapped in the linen wrappings. But why were they still there, Peter wonders.
     To jump ahead, John describes the arrangement of the burial cloths in more detail in his Gospel. He writes that Peter "saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen" (Jn. 20:6, 7). That explains Peter's curious puzzlement even better. What grave robber would stop to fold up the face cloth? Oh, thinks Peter, that would be so like Jesus to do! He was so neat and orderly in everything He did. Could He really be alive, he wonders?

Pastor Michael Brownfield

Luke 24:1-12 - Investigative Report of the Resurrection

     It has been a few days since I last wrote. My intention was to write daily, but the press of pastoral ministry doesn't always make that possible. So I have decided to write as I am able.
     Today we begin looking at Luke's account of the Resurrection. Yes, we are well past Easter now, but the Gospel records are so rich, I am going to continue to explore them with you. After all, the death and resurrection of Jesus are the greatest events in earth's history so far, followed certainly by the beginning of Earth's Judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus. Confining our thinking about Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection to a time of year isn't necessarily good anyway. We can and should think of the Cross and the Resurrection all year long, because that is where our hope lies.
     I love Luke's account of the Resurrection because it is a carefully investigated account. Luke was not part of the Twelve and therefore did not have the privilege of seeing Jesus' ministry and Passion personally. He became a disciple later, probably. So, before he wrote his Gospel, he had to research everything carefully. He interviewed eye witnesses one by one, and as a physician with highly trained skills of observation and analysis, he wrote his investigative report.
     He tells us how he researched his Gospel before writing it, in Luke 1:1-4:  "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught" (Emphasis mine).
     Luke investigated everything about the story of Jesus very carefully from beginning to end, and only then wrote out his Gospel account. This means that when we read Luke's story of the Resurrection and the events surrounding it, we can have a high degree of certainty that he paid attention to the details and made sure that his report was orderly and certain.
     This does not mean the other Gospel accounts are less inspired; not at all. It also does not mean they are less trustworthy. Each writer emphasizes the things the Spirit impressed on their heart at the time of writing. It just means that Luke's report was constructed especially with an interest in completeness and order, because that was the purpose of his written account to Theophilus, who, though unknown outside the Biblical account, was probably an important Roman official.
     It is with that assurance that we will begin our study of Luke's Ressurection account in our next writing.

Pastor Michael Brownfield

Mk. 16:9-14 - Struggling with Doubt

     "When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
     "Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them (disciples) while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either" (Mk. 16:9-13).
     Mark's point in these first two appearances by Jesus is the struggle with doubt and unbelief His disciples had. At first, we might not want to blame them. After all they had been through; after seeing Jesus killed the way He was, we sympathize with their struggle to believe He was really alive. But Mark's point is that we must not excuse them, and we must learn from their failure.
     When Jesus finally appeared to the eleven that afternoon as they were eating, "He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen" (Mk. 16:14).
     Why did they doubt and stubbornly refuse to believe? Because they failed to stay focused on Jesus' teachings and on God's word; because they failed to pray and gave into sleep in the Garden; because they let the trauma of the weekend overwhelm their faith; because they had forgotten all Jesus had taught them during His ministry--every evidence for faith He had given.
     Faith is a gift, but at some point it is also a choice. We have to take the evidence and assurances of faith God gives us and anchor them in our hearts. This will keep us through life's storms.
     On Resurrection morning, Jesus sent two three messengers to His disciples with the good news He was alive. The first was Mary Magdalene. Broken, sinful, cleansed Mary. The Mary delivered from the demons of immorality that had controlled her life.
     How did the disciples view her? Perhaps as an emotional, broken woman. Remember her anointing Jesus' feet and weeping at Simon's house?
     How did Jesus see her? As a precious, redeemed daughter; a child of God; a woman reclaimed from the land of the enemy and restored to sanity, purity, and nobility.
     In her great gratitude and love, she stayed by the tomb on Resurrection morning. She couldn't bear being separated from her Savior. And so she had the privilege of being the first to herald the Resurrection.
     Jesus appeared first to Mary because Mary needed Him most. This was so like Jesus. Isaiah said His mission would be to restore the broken and needy. Why wouldn't Jesus appear to Mary first? Were the eleven men offended because a woman, a woman like Mary, brought the message?
     Jesus appeared next to two lesser disciples. We know the name of only one, Cleopas. We'll tell their story another day, but were the disciples offended again because lesser disciples then they (or so they may have thought) brought the news?
     If they had remembered Jesus' teachings, if they had remembered God's word, they would have received the good news no matter who brought it.
     God doesn't always work in the way we expect or through the instruments we think He should. I read recently of two Adventist women pastors in China, Godly, humble women who pastor churches in the tens of thousands. We should celebrate that God chooses His own instruments to do amazing things through.
     Jesus' Gospel Commission in Mark (16:15-18) is given against the backdrop of the disciples' unbelief. I believe this is for two reasons. Mark wants us to see that the Resurrection story is not made up. Jesus own followers didn't believe it at first. Secondly, we all struggle with faith at one time or another. The remedy is to remember the teachings of God's word and anchor our faith there.

Pastor Michael Brownfield


   

Mk. 16:1-8 - Resurrection 2, Mark's Story

     "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body" (Mk. 16:1).
     They have not slept much again, this second night after Jesus' death.
     When you are grieving deeply, you hardly sleep. Your heart and mind won't let you. If you are with others, you talk and weep. When you finally go to bed, you toss and turn and your mind won't shut down. Finally, sometime in the wee hours you fall into a fitful doze, but your heart wakes you again too soon.
     Your first thought might be, "Why do I feel so terrible?" Then the reality hits again, like a bad dream--only this dream is real.
     These women had not just lost a dear friend, one who had always been there for them, especially in their deepest need; they had seen Him beaten repeatedly. They had heard their trusted religious leaders cry out with the mob for His crucifixion (How could they?). They had watched in agony as Jesus allowed Himself to be flogged and then crucified, writhing in pain on the cross.
     They were not just suffering loss; they had been traumatized to the depths of their souls. Hardly having slept, they were up early to do their last and loving service for their Friend--these women who had cared for His needs: washed His clothes, prepared His meals, whatever He needed (God bless all serving women--wives, mothers, church leaders and helpers).
     Yes, they would care now for His needs one last time, by preparing His body for burial. What a sad, heart breaking chore.
     Mark's list of the women is a little different from Matthew's--and Luke’s, "who investigated everything carefully" (Lk. 1:3). John only tells us about Mary Magdalene's experience. Who can blame these men for not remembering everything exactly, or the women either?
     Interview witnesses of a traumatic crime or accident, and they will tell you their recollection; but each story may be different. The human mind under duress can't remember everything. The Bible is inspired, but inspiration is not dictation by God. Inspiring a writing, the Holy Spirit brings out a message. The details may be different, but God guides the message and the main points.
     The main points of this story are the surprise, bewilderment, and fear of the women and disciples, contrasted with the truth of the Resurrection. Real, honest, gut-level story telling. The ring of truth.
     The characters report their questions, their hesitation, their fears, and their joy. The ladies ask, "Who will roll the stone away?" It is very large and placed in a groove that slopes downward to prevent easy opening, even by strong men.
     But the stone has been rolled away! And they see a young man dressed in white sitting on the right. They were alarmed, Mark reports. You go into an open tomb where there is supposed to be a deceased loved one and instead see a young man in white clothes. A tomb is a place of death, not life. Crashing thoughts! Violated expectations!
     If I think my wife is one place in the house and she appears in another suddenly, I jump. She does too! A couple of weeks ago, I left the master bedroom for an adjoining room and returned momentarily. In that minute, my wife had come from another part of the house and entered the master bath which was dark. When I returned to the bedroom a minute later, "Someone" was moving in the dark master bath! My heart jumped, if not my body.
     In our story, the angel is attuned to the women's emotions and soothes their fears, speaking words that orient and focus them: "You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here" (Mk.16:6).
     Can you imagine their thoughts? Their bright hopes that Jesus was their Messiah had been crushed forever, one unjust sentence, one blow, one whip lash, one mocking scoff, one crucifixion nail, one agonizing breath at a time. And then, "My God, My God! Why have you forsaken Me?" And death.
     They saw the spear thrust into Jesus' side and blood and plasma flow out. They were there, these women, when Joseph from Arimathea and Nicodemus took His mangled, bloody, limp body down. They had followed them to the tomb to see where He was laid and watched as the stone grated and ground down its channel to a thudding close. Yes, Jesus was dead. They would not see Him alive again--not in this lifetime. They would make many sad trips to His tomb, but see Him alive? It didn't even cross their minds.
     "He has risen!" He has risen? How could that be? He was very dead, killed by certain means.
     "Risen?"--Oh that would be wonderful! But He was so dead just last night!
     "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid." (Mk. 16:8)
     Do you ever wonder if Jesus really rose from the dead? This report does not sound like a lie. It has the emotional ring of truth, doesn't it? You live the story as you read it, it is so real.
     "He has risen!" This is the joyful keynote of the Christian message. Three words that say so much:
     Jesus is alive, no longer dead! The One whose life and deeds and words blessed so many. Death stopped His living, but He is alive. Now His love, His deeds may continue.
     He is living! Death steals our loved ones from us. We were made to love and live, but death interrupts our relationships. Now, if they could only find Him, they could resume their precious friendship.
     He is alive! If He is, everything He said must be true! It must be true!
     He is alive! He is Who He said He was, then: Son of God, Savior, King of all!

Pastor Michael Brownfield

Mt. 28:1-15 - Resurrection 1, Matthew's Story

     The Resurrection of Jesus is one of the most glorious and meaningful events in all of Scripture, rivaled only by the Second Coming of Jesus and the final destruction of Satan and sin and securing of God’s Kingdom rule after the Millennium.
     While we look to the cross for assurance of sins forgiven and the re-assurance of God's love, the Resurrection uniquely establishes and validates what happened at Calvary.
     Over the next few days, we will look at the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. Our first goal will be to see what the disciples and other participants experienced. Later we will try to understand the meaning of this great event.
     Matthew's report of the Resurrection is interesting because it is difficult at first to sort the elements of his story out. Like a person who has just witnessed a traumatic event, the Matthew’s description is jumbled, making the logic hard difficult to follow.
     Did the women actually see Jesus raised and the guards fall like dead men from fear? It sounds like it at first. Reading more carefully one realizes the Resurrection must have happened as the women were on their way to the tomb, not at it.
     Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," probably "Mary the mother of Joses," or John, (Mark 15:47) and James (Mark 16:1) are the first to arrive at the tomb after Jesus is raised.
     Mary Magdalene's devotion, so deep and loyal because of how much Jesus had done for her, will shine out throughout the Resurrection story. James and John's commitment to Jesus is reflected in the devotion of their mother who left all to help care for Jesus' needs and now comes first to the tomb with Mary of Magdala.
     I love Matthew's description of the moment of Resurrection. A violent earthquake. An angel who's "appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow." The powerful Roman guards, trained to be tough as nails and fearless in battle, shaking with terror and becoming "like dead men."
     No one can stand when God decides to act. The effort of the priestly leaders and Roman governor to make the tomb secure only serve to spotlight the weakness of human authority when confronted by the power of God.
     It is the same angel who calls Jesus from His tomb who is still present when the women arrive. He considerately calms their fears at finding an empty tomb and reminds them of Jesus' promise: "He is not here; he has risen, just as He said." Then he invites them to examine the evidence of the empty tomb and sends them on their way to announce the resurrection to the disciples.
     Matthew says the women "hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy (Mt. 28:8)." I can imagine their confused thoughts and emotions at that moment. They had seen Jesus tortured and killed, and had watched as His dead body was taken from the cross and placed in the tomb. Jesus was dead, and over the Sabbath, they had tried to come to terms with their dashed hopes and dreams. Now, in an instant, a stranger reverses all this and tells them Jesus is alive. (Mark says the angel looked like a "young man dressed in white," so he had significantly dimmed his brilliance out of respect for the women. Mk 16:5). Still, who can blame them for being afraid?
     Then Matthew reports, "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings He said.' They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him." It is clear to them that Jesus is more than a man. He is God, and they worship Him.
     Throughout the Resurrection stories, Jesus appears to various people. It seems to me that He chooses who He goes to based on their level of need. Like a first responder at the scene of an accident, Jesus triages His grieving disciples and goes first to those who need Him most.
     So He appears first to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary because they are grieving so deeply; then to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. That is so like Jesus, isn't it, and it is reassuring to us. When we are in great need, He will come to us too. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Ps. 34:18). "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything" (Phil. 4:5, 6).
     The guards have finally recovered their senses, and trembling, they flee back to Jerusalem to report everything that had happened to the chief priests. I can imagine those priests’ faces turning white as they hear the guards' emotion-filled report. One more chance to repent, but instead they concoct a lie and promise to keep the guards out of trouble: Tell everyone that "His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep."
     Like most lies, this one didn't hold together. If the guards were asleep, how did they know it was the disciples who stole the body? And why weren't the guards disciplined, or even executed, as Roman military regulations required? How did the whole detachment fall asleep in the first place, knowing the penalties for doing so? It is highly unlikely that every last soldier would doze off. Matthew is clearly answering questions about the Resurrection that existed in his day when he reports, "And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day."

Pastor Michael Brownfield


       

Mt. 28:1 - Crucifixion Sabbath

     "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb" (Mt. 28:1).
     Luke tells us why they went--to finish preparing Jesus' body for burial (Lk. 24:1). Friday afternoon, after Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus removed His body from the cross and carried it to Joseph's new tomb, the ladies had just enough time to see where Jesus was placed and perhaps spend a few minutes grieving and weeping together. Then "they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Lk. 24:56).
     The people who loved and followed Jesus kept the Bible Sabbath, the seventh day of the calendar week. Jesus had created the Sabbath (Gen. 2:1-2; Jn. 1:1-3) and wrote it into the Law which He and the Father gave on Mt. Sinai.
     When He came to this world, Jesus also kept the Sabbath (Lk. 4:16) and did His best to restore it to its original purpose by protesting the man-made restrictions that kept His people from enjoying God's plan for this special day (Mk. 2:21-3:6).
     Luke tells us the women "rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Lk. 24:56). Nothing in Jesus' teaching or practice led His followers to think He was changing or abolishing the Sabbath. They followed His perfect example and kept the Sabbath in the same spirit He did, avoiding legalism, but keeping it according to the commandment (the fourth of the Ten Commandments given on Mt. Sinai: Ex. 20:8-11). This included not doing any ordinary work. That was the reason they prepared the spices for embalming, but didn't have time to do the work until Sunday morning.
     What a sad, sad Sabbath that must have been for Jesus' followers. It was a day spent in grieving and asking "Why?" I'm sure none of them slept much Friday or Saturday nights. It was not just their hoped-for Messiah who had been crucified, but their dear Friend who had helped them each so much. For them it was a Sabbath of crushed hopes, grief-stricken loss, and wondering what the future held now.
     But for heaven it was a Sabbath of tremendous rejoicing. They knew the end of the story. They had not forgotten Jesus' predictions that He would rise again. In fact, they were making preparations for it! When Jesus died, His followers grieve, but heaven exploded with cheering.
     I'll bet the Resurrection angel was waiting like a champion runner at the start line to dash to earth at God's command. His accompanying angels who were going with him to push back Satan and His angels must have been so eager for their assignment to begin.
     Heaven was also rejoicing because they knew Jesus' death had conquered Satan. Jesus' cry of victory and last breath were Satan's death knell. Christ had conquered God's foe (Col. 2:15), and now it was only a matter of time until Satan could be destroyed (Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10).
     While heaven celebrated in joyful praise and worship, Jesus spent the Sabbath sleeping the sleep of death in Joseph's tomb. I believe it was in God's eternal plan that Jesus died on a Friday and rested in the tomb over Sabbath. By God's arrangement Redemption was repeating the cycle of Creation.
     In Creation week, Jesus presided over bringing God's new masterpiece into existence (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). When He finished (Gen. 2:2), He ceased His work by resting on the seventh day and spending a day of blissful fellowship with His new children, Adam and Eve. Then He "Blessed" the Seventh Day and "made it holy," designating it a sacred day (Gen. 2:1-3).
     In Redemption week, Jesus moved through the week very deliberately, calling attention to His forthcoming work on Calvary. Then, just before He died, He shouted "It is finished!" and breathed His last.
     The epic plan was now complete, to come to this world, reveal the Father's character, defeat the devil, and pay for humanity's sin. Now our Creator-Redeemer rested again on the same day He rested on in Creation. In saving us, He honored the Sabbath He created and set apart at Creation week, by again resting on it.
     On the First Day, He would take up His work of ministry again. But for now, He slept the restful sleep of death, waiting for His Father and glorious angels to call Him to life.

Pastor Michael Brownfield

Mt. 27:57-61 - Two Rich Leaders Bury Jesus

     Matthew tells us, "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him" (vs. 57-58).
     John adds that "He (Joseph) was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night (Jn. 3). It is interesting how the four Gospel writers add different pieces of information, which fills out the story for us. In some cases it is difficult to reconcile their facts, but our confidence in Biblical inspiration does not rest on the authors' perfection of memory or reported detail. It is the message that is important, and differences in reporting or even occasional discrepancies of fact need not trouble us at all.
     The Bible was given in the language of men. God did not dictate the Scriptures, He moved on the hearts of the men who wrote each book, and they communicated His message in their own words, language, style, and literary mode. The Bible was written by inspired men, but everything human is imperfect. It is not God as a writer that is portrayed in Scripture, but human beings who are telling us about God. If a writer forgets, or misreports a detail or story, it does not detract from God or His message at all. God hasn't placed Himself on trial in the Bible--in its words, logic, or rhetoric. The writers were His penmen, not His pen. (See Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 20-21)
     Joseph and Nicodemus were both wealthy, influential men, who had secretly come to believe in Jesus. John says Joseph "was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because He feared the Jews" (Jn. 19:38). Nicodemus had believed in Jesus ever since his secret night visit recorded in John 3. From then on, he watched and followed Christ from a distance.
     Each man belonged to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Mark tells us that Joseph was a "prominent" member of the Council, who was waiting for the kingdom of God" (15:43). Both had used their influence to protect Jesus (Jn. 7:50-52)--until finally the Council simply went around them to get rid of Him. Joseph "had not consented to their decision and action," Luke tells us (23:51).
     Over time, the conviction had grown in each man's heart that Jesus was the Messiah. Imagine the consternation and grief they felt as they saw their leaders rejecting Jesus and plotting His death.
     What was it like for them when Jesus was crucified? Did Nicodemus remember Jesus' prediction that "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life?" (Jn. 3:14-15). As he helped to remove Jesus body from the cross, did He believe on Him as His Savior, the Lamb of God sacrificed for the sin of the world? Or as with the disciples, did it take a while for that truth to register in His mind and heart?
     Despite appearances, God is at work in human hearts, in all classes of society. These two rich and influential men came forward at the death of Jesus and did what the poor, infant church could not do. They secured Jesus' body from the governor, purchased burial spices, and laid Jesus in one of their own tombs. God always had means of providing for His church. If a church group is poor and struggling, but is following Jesus faithfully, He will provide for them when it is needed. After all, the Kingdom and the power and the glory all belong to Him.

Pastor Michael Brownfield


    

Mt. 27:54-56 - Unlikely Witnesses at the Cross

     In addition to the ancient holy people who were resurrected to declare Jesus the Messiah, Matthew lists other unlikely witnesses--the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion and his soldiers.
     They had watched Jesus from the time they took charge of Him for execution, and quickly noticed how different He was. Jesus was not cursing or swearing like the two other men scheduled to die that day. He did not seem angry, or afraid, or demeaned. He carried Himself with a God-like dignity, even while suffering the greatest pain.
     The soldiers heard when Jesus prayed for them as they nailed Him to His cross, "Father, forgive them; for they don't know what they are doing."
     They heard the Jewish leaders and common people mocking Jesus, but in the taunts, they pieced together Jesus' claim to be the Messiah and Son of God.
     They listened to Jesus answer the dying thief's request for salvation and provide for His grieving mother.
     They saw the supernatural darkness cover the land Jesus’ last hours of suffering. Then they heard His cry of abandonment, followed only a short time later by His shout of victory. And then immediately an earthquake.
     Suddenly, just like for the repentant thief, it all became clear--Jesus was Who He claimed to be! He was the Son of God."
     This tough commander and his men, battle hardened though they were, still had hearts open to evidence, while the religious leaders and teachers rejected it all. Scripture says, "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely He was the Son of God!" (Mt. 27:54).
     All through His Gospel narrative, Matthew loves to show how it is unlikely people who accept Jesus for who He is. The religious leaders reject Him, but tax collectors, Roman soldiers, prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and centurions accept Him. Those who realize their need of God seem to find Him better than the religious ones who depend on their goodness and knowledge. God seems very open to the broken and unreligious.
     Another group of unlikely witnesses are the women who followed Jesus to His crucifixion. Matthew describes them: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons" (Mt. 27:55-56).
     In many cultures women have been degraded in one way or another, but Jesus always treated them with honor and respect. He welcomed the tired mothers who brought their children for blessing, when the disciples wanted to send them away. He forgave and restored to dignity the woman caught in adultery, used as a sexual pawn to trap Him. Women play a prominent role, not a lesser role in the Gospels.
     Creator of woman, Jesus comes also as Redeemer and liberator to her, and women sensed His deep respect and compassion for them. He let them minister to Him and for Him. He elevated them above the cultural norms of the day and they responded in gratitude and service.  
     "Many women followed Him." I've noticed through the years how often women fill the church and carry the ministries. They come in larger numbers to prayer meetings and linger for spiritual conversation while men often are absent or not connected. Is this because women feel their need more or are more used to acknowledging their need of God's help while men are more self-dependent?
     I don't know. But Jesus welcomes women and Roman centurions too. All who come to Him will be received and blessed.

Pastor Michael Brownfield

Mt. 27:51-53 - God Makes a Statement

     God made some powerful statements when Jesus died. "At that moment (the minute of Jesus' death) the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people" (Mt. 27:51-53)
     The curtain that separated the holy and most holy place was ripped from top to bottom by an unseen hand. It is significant that Matthew says it was ripped from above since it was very tall, and the top was much higher than a man could reach. It was clearly a divine act. God was showing two things by this.
     First, He was demonstrating His grief. It is customary in Eastern culture to tear one's garment as an outward act of sorrow. God's Son had just died, and the temple veil represented His covering--the covering of His presence. God grieved at the death of His Son. Although it was necessary and part of His eternal plan, He loved Jesus very much and mourned His death.
     Second, God was showing the sacrificial service was now at an end. The One to Whom it all pointed had died.
     From the time of the Wilderness Sanctuary, built by Moses from God's blueprint, the temple had been a symbol of the plan of salvation. The daily sacrifices, the ministration of the priests, and the yearly Day of Atonement, symbolized God's way of saving humanity, His way of dealing with sin.
     The Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant, a golden box which contained the Ten Commandments. Its cover was called “the mercy seat." Together, the commandments and mercy seat showed God's justice and mercy.
     In the Wilderness and Solomon Temples, God often manifested His glory above the Ark of the Covenant, so the Most Holy Place was considered very holy.
     No one but the high priest could look into or enter the Most Holy Place; and He could enter only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This room was where God revealed Himself to His people, personally or through the high priest.
     Every aspect of the temple and its services pointed forward to Jesus and the salvation He would bring. So when God's Lamb (John 1:29-36) died, there was no more need for the symbolic system. The real Lamb had been sacrificed for the world's sins and how His ministry would shift to the heavenly temple where Jesus would minister as our true High Priest. (See Heb. 9:11-15, 24-28; Heb. 7:24-28; Heb. 4:14-16)
     God also made a statement with a resurrection. Jesus had provided the sacrifice for all sin and conquered Satan (Col. 2:15) and death. Now God had the right to raise people from the dead.
     As a sign of His victory and a herald of that great Resurrection Morning when Jesus returns again the second time, God resurrected some of the saved from ages past and made them living witnesses to Christ's resurrection.
     Imagine walking down the street of Jerusalem on Sunday morning and seeing a group of people from all previous ages and then hearing from their lips that Jesus was truly the Messiah and had been raised from the dead. How amazing that would have been! Who made up that group we don't know. Was the great sufferer Job part of it? What about John the Baptist who gave his life as the forerunner of Christ? Would Abel the first martyr have been raised? We don't know.
     What happened to those special people? They likely were taken to heaven sometime later as a "first fruits" sample of Christ's resurrection power. Some think the twenty-four elders of Revelation may be from that group. They certainly worship Jesus and the Father with great gratitude and passion. It would make sense.

Michael Brownfield
 

Mt. 27:50 - "It is finished!"

     Jesus' final words on the cross reveal an amazing truth. Comparing the gospel writers' record of Jesus' last words (John 19:30 and Luke 23:46) we discover Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "It is finished! Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then He bowed His head and died.
     What was "finished?" And what happened in Jesus' heart and mind between His cry of abandonment, "My God, why have you forsaken Me?" and His final shout of conquering faith?
     Before the foundation of the world, sometime way back in eternity, Father and Son had made a covenant that if sin should ever arise (and of course they foresaw it on this blue planet), Jesus would offer Himself as the Bridge between the Justice and Mercy of God. He would take the place of sinners and suffer for their sins (Rev. 13:8; Tit. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10) to bring us back to our Father.
    In the Psalms it was written prophetically about Jesus, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared me; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart’” (Ps. 40:6-8). Now, through His infinite suffering, Jesus had accomplished this.
     Jesus had made the sin offering for our salvation. "Christ's sacrifice on behalf of humanity was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled." Acts of the Apostles, p. 29. Jesus was "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2:2).
     But again, what happened in Jesus' mind between feeling forsaken and conquering by faith? We can learn a vital lesson about the power of Scripture to anchor our souls in suffering from these final moments of His experience.
     Andrew Hodges, M.D., a Christian psychiatrist, made a study of Jesus' thought processes by comparing the record of Scripture with what is known about human experience. He reported his study in his book, Jesus, An Interview Across Time (Village House, 1986).
     His narration of Jesus' suffering on the cross is especially moving and enlightening.
     "By now my thirst was so great that finally I said aloud, ‘I thirst.’ They offered me some wine to kill the pain, and I refused. As much as I wanted relief, I refused because I was God and I was accomplishing salvation not by numbing the pain but by accepting the pain.
     "My chest was heaving. The pain was now wearing me down more than ever. And I was constantly short of breath and so thirsty.
     "It was extremely dark. It was past three in the afternoon by then, and I had been on that cross for more than three (actually, six) hours. Everywhere I turned, there was no relief. There was no relief even in thinking about all the memories--the Last Supper, the Transfiguration, the miracles, or even my Baptism. I could no longer hear the words "My beloved Son." They all seemed too far away, as if they had never happened. It was so hard to concentrate. Thinking about my future glory seemed too far away. I felt suspended in time as if I had been there and would be there forever. The pain was unbelievable. The staring and mocking never let up. "So you trust the Lord. Why? Is He really looking after you? Healer, heal yourself." "Why don't you come on down, Prophet?"
     I was defenseless. My mother and John my friend were too far away to comfort me. I looked at the man on my right, and at that point he wasn't any help. He was in as much pain as I was. It was like looking in a mirror. Frighteningly, my Father's words had no comfort for me now. ‘The Lord is my strength.’ But I had no strength. His words seemed as dry as my mouth. That had never happened before, and I felt a terrible panic. I waited a minute and went back over His words. But it was only worse.
     "It became blacker and blacker for me. I was squirming like a worm on the end of a hook with all of my enemies watching me squirm and enjoying it. I was totally alone. And now my Father was gone, too. I was nude, dangling there disfigured. Gasping for air, writing in pain, I was totally helpless. Time was standing still. The oppression was horrible. . .I did not believe this much pain was possible. Every time I would try to get back up that mountain, 'Think of your glory, think of why you are doing it, the Lord is my strength'--nothing--I would just fall back again. No comfort from His words. I wanted to run, to get down--but He was still my Father--but now He was gone. My head was pounding, blood and sweat were in my eyes, my back and legs were rubbed raw, my hands and feet were on fire, my joints were throbbing, all out of place; I was constantly short of breath and I was suffering incredible thirst. I couldn't take it anymore. Suddenly I screamed: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
     "When that came out of me something happened. I was back at the beginning of the 22nd Psalm, and almost reflexively, I began to quote it from memory. Now I was back home. First that Psalm went through all my experiences on the cross. My strength poured out like water. My bones out of joint. My dry mouth, the mockery, and the gambling for my robe were all part of it. Then the Psalm comes to that great part, 'I will declare your name to my brethren. . .'
     "There they were. I could see some of them. My spirit began to life, and then came the next part of the Psalm as though He were reading my mind: 'For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him, but has listened to His cry for help.'
     My Father had heard me and His voice was getting louder. 'All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. . .posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn--for He has done it.'
     "He was telling me that I had done it. When I got to that place I began to feel an ecstasy. Good was greater than evil. I had done it! I had accomplished my task! I had given every last ounce of strength I had and the fight was over. I was the winner, the champion: Son of God, reign forever!
     "I looked at the crowd. I knew I'd taken their evil away from them and not given it back. Justice had been done. I had conquered fear. I had conquered hatred. I had overcome all evil.
     The fight was over. I was still very thirsty. . .In fulfillment of prophecy, someone offered to quench my thirst. Typical of the world, all they could ever offer me was bitterness. I drank sour wine vinegar. They passed the vinegar up to me on a sponge and I drank it. It was one final way of saying, 'I take into me your bitterness.'
     Appropriately, that prophecy was from the 69th Psalm. That bitter Psalm which had haunted me all my life, the Psalm which had told me that I was so suffer unmercifully as a child and even more unmercifully as an adult on a Roman cross, that Psalm whose every painful word I knew completely and had carried with me for years, now I could finally lay to rest. By drinking that cup, I was also saying on more time for everyone to hear, 'Thy will be done. In the face of all the world's bitterness, to God be the glory.'
     "Then I looked at the crowd and said, 'It is finished."
     "I suffered not one second longer. With the power of the Son of God, I showed them that I gave my life, and nobody took it from me. I chose the moment of my death. For a few seconds, I intentionally paused and held my head particularly high as I looked out over the crowd to let them know I had conquered their shame. Finally, I looked up towards my Father in heaven, took as deep a breath as I could, and shouted that glorious verse from the 31st Psalm that I had waited for all my life, 'Into Thy hand I commit my spirit.' . . .It was over."
     Friend, God used His word to help Jesus conquer by faith, and He can help us in the same way. In your daily life and in your challenging moments He will lead you to just the promises and help you need. But take time to store His word in your heart now, so you will have it when you need it.

Michael Brownfield
    
         

Mt. 27:46 - "Why have you forsaken me?"

   
     Jesus was not calling for Elijah as some thought. This was a cry of dereliction, feeling abandoned. He felt utterly forsaken and rejected by God in His sufferings.
     At the Passover meal Jesus introduced the "cup" to His disciples and established the Lord's Supper. He said, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt. 26:27-28).
     This was also the cup Jesus prayed for deliverance from in his Garden prayer: "Father if it be possible for this cup to pass from me. . ." (Mt. 26:39)
     Jesus began to drink that bitter cup in the Garden when He said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Mt. 26:38). As we saw earlier, it was not just fear of suffering that forced bloody sweat from His pores (Lk 2:44). He was in fact becoming the divine Substitute for every person.
     He was beginning to die the death that was ours. "God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us. . ." (2 Cor. 5:21).  "It was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring. . ." (Isa. 53:10). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified (declared innocent, exonerated) freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:23-26).
     In the Garden He began to drink that cup of Divine Judgment (the sacrifice He had offered in heaven far back eternity), and now on the cross he was drinking it down to the last dregs for us (Ps. 75:8-9).
     "Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father's mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father's reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Savior in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt" The Desire of Ages, p. 753).
     We can never understand this side of eternity what Jesus endured for us, but if we let Him, He will win our hearts.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

"Amazing Love" by Chris Tomlin

Michael Brownfield

Mt. 27:46-49 - "Will Elijah rescue Him?"

    "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means ''My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"
     Matthew reports that "When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah. . .Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him."
      It is likely that Jesus’ suffering and fatigue, combined with his extremely dry mouth and larynx made his words hard to understand by the crowd. In the Jewish Passover Seder, Elijah comes before Messiah. Malachi also says that God will send Elijah before "that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes" (Mal. 4:5). Perhaps some thought Jesus was calling for Elijah's help in His dying hours.
     The truth is these prophecies had already been fulfilled in two distinct ways.
     First, during His ministry Jesus announced that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Malachi's Elijah prophecy (Mt. 11:14). John the Baptism had come in the spirit and power of Elijah to call Israel back to God before the Messiah's appearance.
     Second, just a week before Jesus' crucifixion, Elijah had literally come to earth, along with Moses, to encourage Jesus as He faced His sacrifice (Mt. 17:1-17). "Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem" (Lk. 9:30-31).
     These two men had suffered so much for Jesus in their earthly life and ministries. Elijah served during a time of great national apostasy in Israel, and after confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and calling Israel back to God, he momentarily lost his courage at Queen Jezebel's death threats.
     Fleeing to the desert, he complained he was no better than his "fathers" and asked God to take his life. But God had better plans for Elijah. He comforted, fed him, and revived his faith. Later God whisked him to heaven in a fiery chariot. And now He sends this hero of faith who had endured discouragement and victory to encourage His Son.
     Moses was God's chosen leader for an often stubborn and unbelieving people for forty years, temporarily losing his grip on God when Israel complained about their desert experience and blamed Moses (as they often did) for their troubles. Moses lost his temper and spoiled an important salvation lesson God wanted to teach. Because of his failure he was not allowed to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Num. 20:1-13; Deut. 1:37). He died and was buried by God but later resurrected and taken to heaven; (Deut 34:5-7; Jude 9).
     Who better could God send to hearten His Son than these two men who understood what it was like to depend on God in times of trial and rejection? They could support Jesus even better than God or angels could. Can you imagine what their conversation with Jesus must have been like? I would love to have heard their encouraging words.
     Plus, they were in heaven now only on the basis of Jesus' coming atonement. If Jesus failed, they had no right to be there.

Michael Brownfield

Mt. 27:45-56 - Final Hours

     This blog is late. I was hoping to write it Friday night, but after a meeting, I sprained my ankle badly. When it happened there was a loud "pop!" followed by blinding pain. Dear friends carried me to their car and drove to the ER where x-rays showed, thankfully, that nothing was broken (an MRI this week will reveal if there was soft tissue damage).
     In the bed next to me, shrouded in a curtain, was an elderly gentleman who was delirious and incontinent. He kept moaning loudly and calling for the doctor. A little further away was an elderly woman who often shrieked in pain. A nurse would rush in to help and comfort her.
     The whole experience made me think more vividly about Jesus' suffering on the cross, surrounded on each side by the moaning, cursing thieves and in intense agony Himself--not that my discomfort was anything close to his!
     Matthew tells us "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land" (Mt. 27:45). As Jesus entered His final suffering, a supernatural darkness spread across the land. This was a symbol of divine judgment. God's judgment was falling on His Son, but it would also come eventually on those who rejected Him. Also the Father was shielding His Son's last sufferings.
     Amid the darkness, Jesus' perfect character shines out. He sees his mother Mary grieving next to John and provides for her by asking John to take her in. Himself dying, He ministers to the dying thief who asks for forgiveness and acceptance and is assured of eternal life.
     Many ancient prophecies were fulfilled in those last hours of Jesus' death to strengthen Jesus' faith and the faith of His followers. His clothes were divided by the soldiers who also cast lots for His undergarment, fulfilling Psalm 22:18. The exact words of His mockers were accurately predicted in Psalm 22:8. Verse 15 of the same chapter foretold he would become extremely thirsty and Psalm 69:21 that vinegar would be given him as a drink.
     His suffering by crucifixion was clearly described: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd (a piece of broken pottery), and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me; they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me" (Ps. 22:14-17).
     The prophets even predicted that not a bone of His body would be broken, but instead His side would be pierced (Ex. 12:46; Ps. 34:20; Zech. 12:10).
     We too are comforted as we see how accurately Jesus’ suffering was predicted. If there can be meaning in our suffering, it reassures and soothes us. And Jesus’ suffering was providing salvation for lost humanity. As we will see, Jesus was anchored by the Scriptures Himself.

Michael Brownfield

Mt. 27:26-44 - "Pilate handed him over for crucifixion"

 
     The crucifixion story is so full of meaning and detail, I will comment today by the verse. I invite you to open your Bible and follow along. Jesus had said to the mob who arrested Him, "This is your hour--when darkness reigns" (Lk. 23:53).
     He had also prayed that God's glory would be revealed through His suffering. (“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (Jn. 12:27-28)
     As we study the crucifixion, we see both Satanic darkness and the glory of God. The latter encourages us that God's glory can somehow be known and experienced in our worst trials or the world’s greatest evils.
     Mt. 27:26 - Freeing Barabbas and condemning Jesus was a double injustice, but also a picture of the Gospel. Barabbas was a notorious criminal who had led rebellion and committed murder. Jesus, the sinless One, was repeatedly pronounced innocent by Pilate. The Righteous, Uncondemned One took the place of all the "Barabbas's" of the world and died in their place. "We are convinced that One died for all; therefore all died," wrote Paul (2 Cor. 5:14).
     "He had Jesus flogged." Flogging was torture in itself. It was done by the Romans to inflict maximum pain and suffering so as to hasten death at crucifixion. The flogging whip was designed with multiple leather thongs to which were tied jagged pieces of bone or metal. Flogging literally ripped the flesh and underlying muscles to shreds causing copious bleeding and bruising. When you compare the various gospel accounts, Jesus actually may have been flogged twice.
     Mt. 27:27-31 - "The governor's soldiers. . .gathered the whole company around Him." Is there any doubt that Satan orchestrated all the torture--emotional, psychological, and physical that Jesus went through? It was designed in the minds of demons to cause Jesus to doubt who He was, distrust His Father's heart, and take things into His own hands, which is the basis of all temptation.
     The soldiers were easy pawns in Satan's hand. They had often been attacked by Jewish radicals and assassins. They had lost friends to the zealot dagger or Jewish uprisings. Now these soldiers vent their resentment and rage on Jesus as an example to any "would-be messiah" who would try to throw off Roman occupation.
     In cynical mockery they dressed Jesus as a king (the scarlet robe), jammed a crown out of 2-3 inch thorns on his head, and handed Him a staff for a "royal scepter." Placing the staff in His right hand (the hand of kingly authority), the knelt before Him and mockingly jeered, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Then they rose to spit on Him. Repeatedly they snatched the staff, hitting him on the head and driving the long thorns into and under His scalp, along the skull.
     What made this so difficult was not the pain, but that Jesus was the King of Israel and King of creation. He could have vaporized His tormentors in a flash or felled them convulsing to the ground in exquisite pain. But He probably never even thought such a though. His great heart of love longed to save them all. It was part of God's plan to receive everything sinful man an demons could do to Him. Throughout His torture Jesus maintained His composure with God-like nobility, saying and doing only what would reveal His Father's character.
     Mt. 27:34 - "They offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it." Jesus did not want to drink anything that would decrease His ability to think and resist temptation. In this final showdown with the forces of darkness, He must have a clear mind. How many crimes are committed, how many temptations given into, even by Christians, because of alcohol or drugs. Jesus' example from the cross is a moral lesson for us today.
     Mt. 27:35 - "When they had crucified Him. . ." The statement is so brief; but nothing more needed to be added for Matthew's audience. His readers would all know about every bloody, excruciating detail of this form of capital punishment. In existence since ancient times, the Romans had perfect it as the worse form of torture and death known to man. Crucifixion was death by slow degrees. Nailed through the wrists where an movement would cause fiery pain to spike through the limbs, yet positioned in such a way that to breathe the victim must push up on nailed feet and rotate his wrists around the square nails, caused hours of excruciation (a word meaning "out of the cross"). Rome often crucified rebels or criminals on trees or crosses along well traveled roads as an example and deterrent to crime or uprising.
     Yet Jesus spoke no word and thought no thought but that glorified God.
     Mt. 27:39-44 - The mocking. Matthew says Jesus was mocked by three groups, three classes of people, representing the whole human race: those who passed by, the common people; the religious leaders; and the criminals.
     Those who passed by - "You who were going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, saved yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" The masses would rather have their rituals, traditions, and temples than Christ. Superficial, ritual religion quiets the conscience but doesn’t satisfy the heart. Jesus had been speaking of His death when He said this, but they didn't understand.
     Can you hear echoes of the devil's wilderness temptations in this jeer? "If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." The "If" was a temptation for Jesus. Would God allow His Son to suffer this much?
     The chief priests, teachers of the law and elders - "He saved others: but He can't save Himself." Meant as a statement of scorn, it was nevertheless true. Jesus could not save Himself and at the same time save us. He was the divine-human Substitute for sin, paying the price broken Law and violated Justice, and receiving the wages sin pays, death. I'm so thankful He persevered, aren't you?
     "Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe in Him." It must have been so hard for Jesus to hear those words, no doubt born in the mind of Satan. He longed for them to believe in Him. That had been His prayer through sleepless nights and laboring days. These leaders who should have led the people in receiving and worshiping Jesus now mock Him in His pain.
     "He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him." These words attacked the very core and center of Jesus heart. The only way He could make it day to day was by trusting God. Now, as Substitute, dying under the sins of the world, feeling separated from God, He so much wanted to know His Father loved and accepted Him.
     "If He wants Him." Satan knew that Jesus was dying for humanity and He attacked his psyche and emotions at a very vulnerable point.
     Near the end of His agony, one ray of light pierced Jesus' heart. One of the crucified thieves trusted Him as Savior. At first both had joined in heaping insults on Jesus, but under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, one of them began to piece things together and saw in Jesus the Lamb of God dying for His sins. "Lord, remember me, He cried," and Jesus responded immediately, "You will be with me in paradise" (Lk. 23:43)
     Friend, Jesus knows your heart and mind. Do you believe in Him as your Savior, dying for your sin? Ask Him to forgive and accept you, and to remember you when He comes. He will, because He died to do so.   

Mt. 27:11-26 - Jesus Before Pilate

     Jesus had told His disciples they would be brought be political authorities to give account of their faith. So will many of us in the future. In fact Christ followers in many countries not friendly to the gospel are experiencing this now.
     It is worth re-reading Jesus’ words before we see how He witnessed before a governor named Pilate.
     “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" Mt. 10:17-20.
     As I read the story of Jesus' trial before Pilate, I am struck with several things. Jesus was courteous to this man who at best was a conniving, unjust politician. He answered politely when questioned, sometimes letting his silence testify to His pure character. Why protest against accusations that are obviously untrue. Even Pilate realized the Jewish leaders were merely envious (Mt. 27:18).
     But I am most impressed with how Jesus tries to win Pilate's heart. John says the most about their conversation (Jn. 18). Jesus tells Pilate "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me" (v.37).
     Pilate replies, "What is truth?" Almost Pilate! You are so close. Now just listen to Jesus give His answer, and your heart may be won. But Pilate is distracted by the shouts of the crowd and too concerned about his own political career, he misses his golden opportunity.
     God even sends Pilate's wife a vision about Jesus as a warning to do justice (Mt. 27:19). God is that interested in each person's salvation.
     Here Jesus is, on trial for His life, and He is more focused on winning Pilate's heart than His own safety. Amazing patience and love!  Clearly, the Holy Spirit was doing for Jesus what He has done for Christ followers down through history in similar circumstances, giving Him the right words to say. But the choice is every person's to make, and we must be satisfied to just be a witness and bring glory to God in what we say.
     Three times Pilate announces to the Jews that Jesus is innocent; he can find no fault in Him. He even tries through a Passover custom to substitute the murderer Barabbas (son of Abba) for the release of the true Son of Abba, but is refused.
     What a story it would have been had Pilate, like the Roman Centurion and the thief on the cross, confessed Christ. He had a wonderful opportunity. But someday he will be raised to see the King of Kings coming in the clouds of heaven (Rev. 1:7; 19:11-18). Then "the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty. . .hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne. . .'" (Rev. 6:15-16)
     For Pilate it is “What would have been.” Jesus, on the other hand was God’s faithful Witness. We also can be.    
    

Mt. 27:1-10 - Peter and Judas

     As I write, our sixth grade granddaughter is visiting us for her spring break. It is fun to see her young intellect developing. Currently she likes to play a game of mental contrasts; the choices are always impossibly bad: "Would you rather eat an elephant or a snail?" Some choice. She smiles as we protest the challenge of choosing between such terrible options.
     So I'll ask you today, in our journey toward the cross and beyond, would you rather be Peter or Judas? Would you rather deny Jesus or betray Him?
     I can hear you protesting, "That's a terrible choice, Pastor!" I agree. As I realized last night that our journey to the cross had arrived at the story of Judas' final hours, I recoiled from even thinking, let along writing about it. It is a dark tale, and we instinctively recoil at it.
     Truth is, we have probably all denied or betrayed Jesus at one time or another, at least in small ways. Judas' and Peter's falls didn't happen over night. They were the result of small daily betrayals and denials, leading ultimately to their larger failures.
     So what can we learn?
     Matthew places the stories of Peter's denial and Judas' last moments side by side so we'll compare and contrast their lives and actions--and learn from them.
     What is the difference between Peter's denial and Judas' betrayal? There sins were not all that different. betraying Jesus or denying (disowning) Him are closely related in purpose and effect. Another similarity: both Judas and Peter seemed to feel great sorrow for their sins. Peter went out and wept bitterly. Judas threw his thirty pieces of silver into the temple and remorsefully shouted, "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood" (Mt. 27:4).
     But here the similarities fade. Peter's remorse was born out of a sincere, though flawed and somewhat superficial relationship with Jesus. Judas' sorrow was because he had given up whatever relationship he had. He may have allowed Jesus some space in his heart at the beginning, but his thirst for recognition and his desire for success and money finally eclipsed all love for Jesus. (As group treasurer, he stole regularly from the money bag - John 12:6.)
     Both men were heading down hill toward the end, but Peter truly loved his Lord, and turned around.
     Peter's and Judas' remorseful feelings illustrate the two kinds of repentance. "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Cor. 7:10).
     Genuine repentance is sorrow that I have broken the heart of my best Friend. Because Peter had remained open to the love, truth, and grace of Jesus and had allowed the Holy Spirit to keep working on his heart, his remorse came from genuine repentance. Judas had long ago turned from his heart relationship with Christ, and so there was nothing to return to, only a fearful expectation of judgment (Heb. 10:27).
     Could Judas have repented, and would Jesus have accepted him if he had? I think Yes to both questions. Is it not true there is no sin for which Jesus' atonement and grace is not adequate? Absolutely. Ah, but there is one sin which is more a process--the persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit, the One Who draws us to God. Jesus had said, "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against (resists) the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Mt. 12:32).
     When we repeatedly reject the Spirit's nudging, we eventually lose the ability to heart His voice and turn around. Judas had done this.
     At the Lord's Supper, Jesus had washed Judas' feet, then Peter's (Jn. 13). Peter resisted. His proud heart resented that Jesus would lower Himself to a servant's role. But when Jesus declared to him, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me," Peter could not imagine being separated from His Savior and Friend. "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
     As Judas saw Jesus stooping to a servant's job, it was the last straw. Jesus could not be the messiah of his dreams. There was no hope of future glory with this Man. He went out to betray him. And night descended on his soul (Jn. 13:30).
     A few hours later in hopeless despair, Judas hanged himself. A few weeks later, Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 came to the grace and forgiveness of Christ.
     I'd rather be Peter, wouldn't you?

Mt. 26:74 - "Immediately a rooster crowed."

     What led to Peter's tragic fall? What lessons can we learn to prevent our own? Down deep, we know we are weak and could do the same. Lastly, is there saving grace in this story--and grace for us too?
     Peter fell because he didn't know himself.  "When Peter said he would follow his Lord to prison and to death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself. Hidden in his heart were elements of evil that circumstances would fan into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw in him a self-love and assurance that would overbear even his love for Christ." The Desire of Ages, p. 673
     That's why Jesus tried to warn him ahead of time--to help Peter wake up and finally give his heart fully to Christ. What "elements of evil" were lurking beneath the surface in Peter's heart, even though he thought he was committed to Jesus?
     "Much spiritual sickness, shameless sin, carelessness of spirit, unsanctified temper, and a tendency to rush heedlessly into temptation, had been revealed in his experience." Ibid. (paraphrasing mine).
     On one level, you have to love Peter (and Jesus did). He was loving, loyal, enthusiastic, raring to go. But Peter had many spiritual weaknesses he didn't let himself see. He was in denial about his deeper needs.
     So Jesus had mercifully given Peter an alert like the ones we set on our smart phone or computer calendar. When the reminder beeps, or rings, we are prompted to remember our appointment. But in Peter's case, the reminder would come too late and have a different purpose.
     Earlier, Jesus had told Peter, "When you hear the rooster crow, you will have already denied (disowned) me three times. This warning, given to Peter a few hours before his fall, was the important alert. But Peter ignored it. In that warning Jesus was saying to Peter, "Friend, I know you so well. I am your God, your Savior. I know you better than you know yourself. Don't you remember how many times I have been there for you? That's why you love me and keep following me."
     "Christ's solemn warning was a call to heart searching. Peter needed to distrust himself, and to have a deeper faith in Christ. If he had received the warning with humility, he would have appealed to the Shepherd of the flock to keep him as one of His sheep. That night on the Sea of Galilee when he was about to sink, he cried, 'Lord, save me.' Matt. 14:30. Jesus had grabbed his desperately outstretched hand and pulled him to safety. So now if he had cried to Jesus, "Save me from myself," he would have been preserved. But Peter felt that he was distrusted, and he thought Jesus was criticizing him. He was already offended, and so he became more persistent in his self-confidence. Ibid, (paraphrasing mine). But of course, he failed.
     When the rooster crowed, Peter realized several things all at once: Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. Jesus had been a faithful Friend by trying to save him ahead of time. He realized he had added a deeper wound to Jesus' pain and suffering. Did Peter instinctively look at Jesus when he heard the rooster? And did Jesus lock eyes with Peter in that moment, looking into his very soul with a look of sadness and hurt, but also with compassion?
     "And he went ouside and wept bitterly" Matt. 26:75. Peter's weeping was the evidence of true repentance. Finally he saw himself as he was, but His sorrow was a Godly kind, promted by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 7:9, 10) that now led him to full surrender and conversion. It is the undeserved kindess of God that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4; Tit. 3:3-7). Even while Peter was seeing his dark heart and failings, He saw the love of Jesus for him even more.
     In the days ahead, Peter would receive even more grace from Christ, and an even greater revelation of His love for him. He would see a love that would forever fortify his commitment. But from Crucifixion to Resurrection, Peter lived with great sadness and regret.
     Jesus knows us intimately too. He knows the weaknesses that lie beneath the surface of our awareness and often trouble our religious experience. He knows the character flaws that unless addressed will cause spiritual disaster for us too. Through the teachings of His word, the whispers of His Spirit, and the experiences of life, He tries to warn us and lead us to that full surrender of every part of us.
     Amazingly, if we fail catastrophically he does not reject us, unless we go on to fully turn from Him. While He cannot always spare us the results of our own choices, His amazing heart of love and grace will offer forgiveness and restoration if we let Him.
     "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but know I'm found; was blind, now I see."
     And we who live so close to Jesus' return need this lesson even more than Peter.
        

Mt. 26:69-75 - "I don't know the man!"

     Peter's denial of Jesus occupies a major portion in the Passion Story--as a warning to all future disciples about how easy it is to fall the way Peter did, and the reasons for it. Far too many Christians have turned from Jesus under persecution or temptation and then lived with terrible guilt and regret afterward.
     The good news is that Peter's experience shows how to find the way back through the mercy of Jesus and how to avoid his moral collapse in the first place.
     Let's remember what happened by visiting the courtroom scene.
     While Jesus is being questioned by Caiaphas, two of His disciples were present. At first they fled (Mt. 26:56), but feeling remorse, and perhaps hoping to do something--maybe just wanting to be near the Savior they had learned to love, John and Peter made their way to the Sanhedrin's hall.
     John was known to the high priest, Caiaphas, and secured access for Peter too. When they were let in, Peter seated himself in the courtyeard far enough away from the interrogation so as not to be noticed, yet where he could see what was happening.
     At that moment, a servant girl approached Peter and asked him pointedly if he was also a disciple of Jesus. "He denied it before them all" (Mt. 26:70). Can you see and hear him? Then he moved out to the gateway, to avoid detection and to be able to escape easier if they tried to arrest him. Peter was clearly feeling fear, and his fear was growing. Fear, rather than faith was starting to control him.
     As Peter watched Jesus' interrogation and sensed the spirit of the people and leaders, he realized that Jesus was not going to do anything to escape. Now disappointment and confusion are added to his fear. Why is Jesus allowing this? Is it possible he is not the Messiah? Had Peter been wrong all along?  
     Was Peter actually feeling betrayed by Jesus? Certainly Jesus had predicted these sufferings (Mt. 26:31-32), but it didn't jive with Peter's hopes, so he denied them. How often does our denial about wrong attitudes, beliefs, or character traits in ourselves lead ultimately to our denial of Jesus? Now, the kingdom dreams Peter had treasured were falling like a house of cards. 
     Is it not true that we turn from Jesus when we feel disappointed in Him? He does not answer our prayers the way we had hoped; He allowed trouble we thought we would be spared from, even though He clearly said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn. 17:33).
     After Caiaphas' verdict, when Jesus was brutally and unjustly attacked right in the courtroom of the Sanhedrin, Peter's fear spiraled out of control. It is unnerving to watch unjust abuse. It sets off alarms of fight or flight in our heads.
     It was at that point Peter was questioned again, but this time by a group of people which included a relative of the high priest's servant whose ear Peter had cut off with his swashbuckling swing in the Garden (John 18:26). His cover gone, Peter was now in full panic mode.
     "He began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, 'I don't know the man?'"
     "Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly" (Mt. 26:74-75).
     What led to Peter's tragic fall? More important, how did Jesus relate to it and what led to his restoration? Both questions are extremely important. In the answer to the first, we will learn how to strengthen our faith to avoid Peter's personal disaster. In the second we see a demonstration of God's grace that amazes and wins our hearts forever.