"And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced....Now Jesus stood before the governor....But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus....Then they crucified Him....Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom...." (Matthew 27)
Jesus is handed over to the Roman Governor. Judas hangs himself. Jesus dies on a Roman cross. This chapter reveals the depth of the human condition. It has been a historic stupidity to blame the Jews or the Romans for "killing Jesus." It was you and I. "The wages of sin is death," and someone had to "pay" that wage.
There is one thing in the Bible which we cannot escape, "For all have sinned...." The events of the Passion, indeed, the whole of the Gospel accounts reveal that it was only Jesus Who could, "for us men and our salvation c[o]me down." It was sin which darkened the soul of man to his Creator, the Living Triune God. Up until, "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," we were doing just fine, "What a fellowship, what a joy Divine, leaning on the everlasting arms." But then, as now, we all knew/know better.
Matthew 27 unfolds the events which were absolutely necessary for you and me to "come home." Mankind throughout history has constantly attempted to save himself, but alas, the greater the attempts, the greater the frustration. The American political scene is a further revelation of humanity looking for someone, something to relieve the pain, perhaps even to be its "savior." God will not allow that to happen. Matthew 27 reveals Jesus' plan, His purpose, His will, His way. There is just no other way. Take great peace and security today in the reality of Jesus, His Blood, His Death, His Resurrection. "Looking unto Jesus," is not a trite cliche, for Jesus Himself is not. Jesus is our life; Jesus, "is the strength of my life; of whom/what shall I be afraid." Now, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for, "so great a salvation." Amen.
Jesus is handed over to the Roman Governor. Judas hangs himself. Jesus dies on a Roman cross. This chapter reveals the depth of the human condition. It has been a historic stupidity to blame the Jews or the Romans for "killing Jesus." It was you and I. "The wages of sin is death," and someone had to "pay" that wage.
There is one thing in the Bible which we cannot escape, "For all have sinned...." The events of the Passion, indeed, the whole of the Gospel accounts reveal that it was only Jesus Who could, "for us men and our salvation c[o]me down." It was sin which darkened the soul of man to his Creator, the Living Triune God. Up until, "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," we were doing just fine, "What a fellowship, what a joy Divine, leaning on the everlasting arms." But then, as now, we all knew/know better.
Matthew 27 unfolds the events which were absolutely necessary for you and me to "come home." Mankind throughout history has constantly attempted to save himself, but alas, the greater the attempts, the greater the frustration. The American political scene is a further revelation of humanity looking for someone, something to relieve the pain, perhaps even to be its "savior." God will not allow that to happen. Matthew 27 reveals Jesus' plan, His purpose, His will, His way. There is just no other way. Take great peace and security today in the reality of Jesus, His Blood, His Death, His Resurrection. "Looking unto Jesus," is not a trite cliche, for Jesus Himself is not. Jesus is our life; Jesus, "is the strength of my life; of whom/what shall I be afraid." Now, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for, "so great a salvation." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
