The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 27 Part 3 A Theology Of Christ's Suffering For Us

 

I need to point out that some theologians and denominations and pastors in the past, have looked at the Jews rejection of their own Messiah.

Over the years, many of them have vilified the entire Jewish race for what happened during the betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.

We must be reminded that the Jewish people have not been cast off by God (See Romans 9-11). 

He has a plan for them and they will be gloriously saved during the seven years of tribulation.

Those who promote such negative views of the Jewish people are wrong.

Yes, they rejected Jesus and yes, the called for his crucifixion and gloried in it.

However, as we have repeatedly noted, this was in accord with God's plan of redemption.

Also, I pointed out that Pontius Pilate represented the Gentiles of the world, and all Gentiles are guilty of the death of Christ, for He came to die for the sins of all people, Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 3:9-11  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

The apostle Paul was one of those Jews who opposed Christ and vigorously fought against Christians and the gospel.

Yet, God saved Saul on the road to Damascus and he became Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.

No one knew Judaism and the law better than Paul did.

Here he tells us both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, and therefore, under the condemnation of God.

Romans 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 

Paul goes on to tell us that the law of God condemns every single person, and that the whole world, all people without regard to race, are guilty of sin before God, and stand in need of a Savior.

Rom 3:21-26  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

Again, Paul tells us that Christ the "just person", the innocent, righteous Son of God died for the sins of all people who ever lived, or who will ever be born.

God will give each sinner who repents and trusts Christ for salvation, eternal life and clothe us in the righteousness of His Son!

Jews and Gentiles are all sinners, and are all guilty of sin before God, and all deserve to receive the wages of sin, which is death.

God sacrificed His perfect, holy Son for us, so that when we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be born again, and made a child of God.

Therefore, I just wanted to put a cautionary note in front of us, not to judge the Jews of Jesus' time, too harshly, for we are also sinners in need of the new birth.

The glory of the gospel of Christ is that all people, without regard to race, religion or status, can repent of sin and be born again and receive eternal life and a new way of life until He calls us home to heaven.

Matthew 27:24-26  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Pontius Pilate saw that he could not reason with the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees and the mob like group with them, he washed his hands with water.

Next, Pilate said he was personally innocent of the blood of Jesus.

It was a Jewish custom to wash their hands to indicate that they were not guilty of shedding innocent blood.

The irony here could not be greater.

The covenant people of God who received His holy law, who were taught how to worship God rightly, and to whom many precious promises were given, did not wash their hands, because they were guilty.

A pagan Roman governor recognized the injustice and washed his hands, publicly declaring the innocence of Christ one last time!

John 11:49-52  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50  Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52  And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 

Notice what the Jews cried out. "His blood be on us, and on our children."

This loud cry connects with Caiaphas' prophecy about Christ, and one man dying for so that the whole nation does not perish.

Though Caiaphas thought in terms of eliminating Jesus meant securing Israel's safety and prosperity under Roman rule, his words were given by the Holy Spirit as God was overriding his evil intentions for good.

It is good that God sent us His Son to be a sinless Savior.

It is good that Jesus suffered and bore the sins of all humanity for all time.

It is good that God's redemptive plan unfolded in perfect accord with His Word.

It is very good that God will give eternal life and a new heart and spirit to all who trust Christ.

Genesis 50:19-21  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. 

It reminds me of Joseph's brothers who hated him, and sold him into Egyptian slavery.

Joseph lived a life marked by unimpeachable character and rose to prominence, second only to Pharaoh.

Thus, what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good, and so it is with Jesus.

Therefore, Caiaphas' prophetic statement points mankind's greatest need, for the blood of Christ to be applied in order to wash away our sins forever.

It points to something the Jews should have remembered: The Passover Lamb!

The lamb had to be without spot, without blemish, without any defects. 

Why? Because it pointed to Christ the Lamb of God, who did not sin, who always did that which was righteous and always spoke truth.

The Passover Lamb was killed by all the people, and its blood had to be applied to the door posts of every home, in order to avoid judgment and death.

Therefore, the Jews called for Jesus' blood to be on them, that is they acknowledged their guilt in demanding His death.

However, the beautiful picture is that God will save all who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in Christ's blood and His power to atone for our sins and fully save us (See Romans 3:25).

Finally, though Pilate declared Christ was innocent, he had Him scourged.

Scourging was done with a small whip having up to nine cords. Often, pieces of animal bones, or metal were imbedded in each of the nine tails.

This was done to inflict greater suffering than crucifixion would be alone and it magnified the physical agony of such punishment. 

Isaiah 53:3-5  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Our Lord, was about to be put to death after the manner of a slave, and was treated as a slave, as one of the lowest and most despised of men.

Jesus, the sinless Son of God who did all things well, who healed multitudes of sick people, who raised the dead back to life, who cast demons out of those who were tormented, and who preached the beautiful words of life, was despised by men.

He carried our griefs and bore our sorrows. He was stricken, smitten and wounded for our sins and transgressions.

It is at this point in Matthew's record, that Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified, and released wicked Barabbas to the mob.

Isaiah captured the heart of Jesus regarding all His sufferings, and death that He endured for us.

Isaiah 50:5-7  The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6  I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7  For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 

When Jesus prayed to His Father in the garden, He did not turn away from His horrendous sufferings and death.

He allowed wicked men to smite Him on the cheek and pummel His holy face with their sinful hands.

He endured the shame of being spit upon and cruelly mocked.

Knowing beforehand all the details of His sufferings, Jesus set His face like flint. He would not be deterred or sidetracked from the saving mission entrusted to Him by His Father.

All of these things described in scripture are the stark result of Adam's sin and the sin nature that has passed onto to every single person ever born, except Christ.

Though it is extremely sobering to read these texts, we must remember some essential truths.

If there was any other way to save mankind from sin, God would have used it.

There was no other way for sin to be judged and taken away so that sinners can be declared just by faith in God's saving provision.

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Therefore, Jesus endured everything from His humble birth to a humiliating death, for the joy that was set before Him, of sinners repenting and trusting Him.

Many prophecies were literally fulfilled by the suffering and death of Christ.

Isaiah, Amos, Moses, David, Zechariah, Daniel and many others wrote about it in detail, and it happened as God said it would.

This should give us great hope. God will keep His promises and do what He said He would do.

Thus, when I repented of my sins and called upon Jesus to save me, He did!

Jesus has saved countless sinners throughout history just as He said He would do.

Thus, my hope of eternal life and a home in heaven are anchored to Christ's redeeming work and His ability to keep His Word!

Let the reality of God's great salvation sink into your soul today.

If you have not been born again, I urge you to consider the wages of sin and contrast it with the gift of salvation God offers to all who repent and believe on His Son.

Bob