Rendezvous in Galilee—Muster in Jerusalem (Matthew 28:16-20)

Recapitulation

So now we come to the end of Matthew’s version of the ‘good news about entering the kingdom of God.’  It began with the birth of the King in Bethlehem just as it was prophesied.  But, the current leadership had conveniently forgotten that they were just caretakers until the King should come and claim what was rightfully His.  Herod the Great tried to kill Him when he was just a toddler but succeeded only with the forerunner, John the Baptist, whose purpose was to prepare the way of the Lord. The religious leaders, too, became increasingly hostile when they saw Jesus denouncing their hypocrisy.  Eventually, they all colluded with the Romans to kill Him—not realizing that this, too, was prophesied.

There was one more prophecy that they DID know about—His resurrection on the third day.  But, like the disciples, they did not believe it would happen and to “prevent fraud” they posted a guard.  But, like His birth, crucifixion, and burial, He DID rise exactly as predicted.  This earth-shaking news was witnessed by the women who had followed Jesus AND by the soldiers who had guarded His tomb. But while the women welcomed the news, the soldiers and their employers, the Sanhedrin, tried to spin the news that Jesus’ body was stolen while the soldiers slept.

The Doubtful Worshippers

Matthew does not detail for us the way each disciple received the news of Jesus’ resurrection, but he does eventually summarize it in verse 17: “They worshipped Him but some doubted.”  Matthew’s point seems to be that being a disciple of Jesus is not the same thing as being spiritually mature.  The parallel accounts in Mark, Luke, John, and Acts tell us that Jesus appeared to the disciples and to the women a number of times in different places.  And even the most devout required “many convincing proofs” as one gospel writer put it.  Jesus even had to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost by eating a piece of fish in front of them and by letting them touch Him and later by cooking breakfast for them.

Jesus’ Final Teaching

Luke tells us in Acts 1 that Jesus appeared to them over a period of 40 days.  He seemed to have three main themes that He hit on over and over in those 6 weeks:  1) I am truly alive, 2) The Kingdom of God, and 3) I am sending you to tell about the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Final Jesus Sightings

We also see, by comparing all the parallel accounts in the Gospels, Acts 1 and 1 Corinthians 15, that the disciples saw Him at first in the Jerusalem area (including the road to Emmaus), then by the Sea of Galilee and on a high mountain nearby, and finally back in Jerusalem.  Once again, Matthew is not concerned with the details of these comings and goings.  He simply tells us that the disciples are in hiding in Jerusalem and are told to meet Him in Galilee.

But even with all this traveling about the country, they didn’t get away from Jesus.  He found them when they were in hiding, when they were on the road, or out fishing, or having a meal.  He showed up when they needed Him most.  When they doubted, He convinced them.  When they were hungry, he supplied a huge haul of fish.  And yet Matthew summarizes the result with these words, “They worshipped Him but some doubted.”

Wavering Faith

It is interesting that the original word for “doubt” here is only used two times in the Bible.  (Even the passage in John about “doubting Thomas” does not use the word “doubt.”  It’s the word “disbelief.”) But “doubt” is used only here and in Matthew’s account of Jesus rescuing Peter in Matthew 14 when he attempted to walk on the water.  At first, Peter walked on the water at Jesus’ bidding.  But he saw the waves and the wind and He began to be afraid and to sink.  And He cried out, “Lord, save me.”  And Jesus took his hand and pulled Him to safety.  Then He said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When we discussed this passage before, we pointed out that Peter did have faith – a little faith, but faith none the less.  It seems that his doubt was what kept his faith small.  This is the same word for doubt that Matthew uses in chapter 28.  This is the word stasis meaning “steady” or “fixed” plus a prefix meaning “not.”  The idea is someone or something that is not steady but wavers.  This is not the doubt of rebellion but it is the doubt of human understanding or human emotion wrestling with divine revelation.  Do we really believe God’s promises?  This is what the gospel demands—belief. And there are those who hear it that fight against it because they don’t want it to be true (like the religious leaders).  And there are those who hear it but waver because they are afraid it might not be true or perhaps they want to believe the lies of the enemy more.  This is the case with some of the disciples.  Being a disciple, one who has studied God’s Word, has prayed, and even worshiped God does not bulletproof us from doubt—from wavering in faith. Conquering this kind of doubt is not just a one-time experience.

Two Kinds of Doubt

Jesus spent a lot of time convincing His followers—His disciples—that He really was Who He said He was.   He spent far more time convincing doubting disciples than doubting Pharisees—because they had a different kind of doubt.  There is a place for apologetics but those who are convinced against their will are still unbelievers.  “Ya gotta wanna” or as the father of the sick child in in Mark says, “Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief.”

It takes some of us a while and it IS a process.  This is why, in Luke 22, Jesus said to Peter, “When you are converted, strengthen your brethren.”  Peter had already professed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but he had a problem with doubt—the wavering kind.  It plagued him even in later ministry when the Apostle Paul had to confront and rebuke him before the church for his hypocrisy.  But in the end, Peter (in his 2^nd Epistle) wrote very kindly about Paul’s words which “are difficult to understand” and “some will twist them” like they do with the “rest of Scripture.” It takes time.

Great Commission

So even knowing what kind of worshippers He had (some wavered in their faith), Jesus still said to them all—probably more than once—to 1) Go, 2) Make disciples, 3) Baptize them, and 4) Teach them to observe my commandments.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that over 500 persons saw the resurrected Jesus at one time—probably in Galilee.  So, His words are not limited to the original 11 disciples.  Paul applied it to himself as well as to those whom he mentored. 

Great Omission

As late as the 1700s, there was a teaching spreading through the church that said that because God is sovereign He doesn’t need us to “save the heathen.”  Thankfully, most believers today understand that God also sovereignly commanded us to “Go.” He has chosen to use people to spread the gospel.

The Goal in Going

The word “Go” here is a command in Greek even though it has been translated by some as just “As you go.”  The important idea is that we as a body are to choose to DO something that involves “all nations” or “the world” —but not necessarily a change of address.  It is a group action that involves all of us.  Making disciples all over the world who are publicly identified with Him in baptism and taught His commands—not just helped physically—is the goal.  If you are a worshipper of Jesus, even if you find yourself wavering in your faith sometimes, this is the goal that you are to be involved in. We need a little more “Lord, help me in my unbelief.”

Empowered Witnesses

Once you understand the gospel and believe in it yourself, you are supposed to see that it gets handed on.  None of us can do it all, but all of us together can do all of it.  This is not a task given to supermen—but to humans.  It is a very human task.  But notice that Jesus has all power and authority and He is with us always.  So, the results will be the work of ordinary people empowered by a supernatural risen Lord.

Application

What are some ways ordinary people can accomplish this task that encompasses the whole world? What are some of the parts different ones can play?  What are some objections to going? How long before you are ready to get your marching orders?

© 2018 Eric Thimell

Two Roads Diverged on a Sunday Morning . . . (Matthew 28:1-15)

Recapitulation

Each of the gospel writers tells the Easter story somewhat differently and yet their witness statements may be harmonized by careful comparison.  Matthew is not as interested in all the comings and goings at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning as he is in revealing two very different roads taken in response to the TRUTH. 

We have followed Jesus’ teaching on the perfections of God’s Law and His condemnation of those who twist it for their own ends.  We have also seen His revelation of the perfection needed to enter the Kingdom of God.  He has tantalized His hearers with the message that the Kingdom of God was within reach, but if entrance required perfection who could enter?  What kind of reach was needed?

We recall that Jesus pointed out that you cannot buy your way into heaven.  In fact, having wealth often makes it very difficult to enter the kingdom of heaven because it becomes a poor substitute for the real thing.  But, thankfully, with God all things are possible.   

Yet there is still the matter of reach. Remember His praise for anyone who demonstrated faith in God?  And His urging us to ask God who will give freely?  To knock and the door will be opened?

And what is to be done about the enormous number of laws regarding the temple and sacrifices and the priesthood?  I our last study we saw that when Jesus completed His self-sacrifice on the cross, He said, “It is finished” and the darkness fled, an earthquake shook the land, and many godly people rose from the dead—AND the temple veil was torn in half because there was no longer a need for additional sacrifices to enter God’s presence.  Jesus has made a way by the blood of His cross.  He had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. But now He is dead.

Sunday Morning Witnesses

So now Matthew tells about that Sunday morning by following two groups of people: the women and the soldiers.  Both are eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus but with two very different responses.

Loyal Witnesses

In Matthew, it seems that some of Jesus’ most loyal followers were women.  And here, two women stand out—the two Marys—the Magdalene and Aunt Mary (the wife of Clopas).  These two not only watched the entire crucifixion with the other women, they also attended the hurried funeral in the nearby garden while they made plans to return on Sunday with more spices. 

So now Sunday has come and in the predawn light, they hurried to the tomb they had watched two nights before.  Matthew tells us that they arrived in time to witness an angel descend from heaven like a dazzling flash of lightning. He rolled away the stone while the ground shook with another huge earthquake.  The angel seated himself on the stone and greeted the women with the news that the One they seek—Jesus who was crucified—has risen from the dead.  The women were still in shock as the angel went on and after inviting them to look inside the empty tomb he told them to tell Jesus’ disciples—the guys who were too afraid to be out during daylight.  This was no “leap of faith” with no historical truth behind it.  There is evidence.  Examine it and then share it.

Reluctant Witnesses

Meanwhile, the soldiers who were supposed to be guarding the tomb were also witnesses of the very same thing.  Matthew says they “became like dead men.”  They were numb with fear.

Witnesses on the Run

So, we have two groups of eyewitnesses: the women and the soldiers.  They have witnessed the crucifixion and the resurrection.  And they both run to tell what they have seen.  The women go to tell the other disciples.  The soldiers go to tell the Sanhedrin.

Worshipping Witnesses

Notice, that as the women were going to obey the angels, they met Jesus Who greeted them.  And they worshiped Him.  The response of their heart was worship and joy mixed with some fear, too.  Jesus repeated the angel’s message.  He especially mentions His “brothers” who are to go to Galilee where He would rendezvous with them. 

Tell My Brothers

Some have taken this word “brothers” to simply be a reference to the disciples.  Possibly.  But it could also be a reference to His half-brothers (Mary’s other boys born after Jesus).  They had been skeptical of Jesus’ claims but history tells us that they eventually became believers.  So, Jesus could also be saying, “I know my brothers don’t measure up in everyone’s eyes but be sure to tell them, too.”  We’ll talk about that Galilee rendezvous in our next study.

We know, of course, from the other gospels that Jesus met with some of the disciples here and there before heading to Galilee.  It is as if the women’s testimony (and Peter and John’s report of the empty tomb) were just not enough for them.  How many times did you hear the good news before you believed?  Was a glimpse of Jesus in the lives of others something else you needed to see?

Wicked Witnesses

There are two very different responses to the resurrection here.  (It will be the same way when He returns!  Every eye will see Him.  But not every heart will rejoice).  The soldiers told the chief priests “all that had taken place.”  So why didn’t the chief priests and the Sanhedrin tear their clothes and beat their breasts and repent right then and there?  When we share the good news, don’t be surprised that it will not seem to be good news to everyone! 

Instead, knowing full well that they were wrong, the soldiers collaborated to fight against the Son of God!  Don’t be surprised when people don’t just deny God.  They fight against Him and try to prevent anyone else from hearing and believing in Him.  They were willing to spend great sums of money to bribe the soldiers who were all too willing to accept the money and to put their own lives in danger by saying they fell asleep while the disciples stole the body of Jesus.  (If they were asleep, why weren’t they executed and if they were indeed asleep, how do they know what happened?  Hmmm!)  But Matthew notes that, years later, this fake news was still circulating among the Jews.

Rebellion—the Opposite of Worship

There are two reactions that Matthew reports that we do well to examine carefully.  The women received the news with joy and they worshipped Jesus.  The soldiers and the Sanhedrin received the news with dread and plotted rebellion against Jesus.  Rebellion is the opposite of worship.

The way to the Kingdom is now open if we choose to believe.  All other roads—the paths of rebellion— lead to destruction. As Matthew 7:13-14 says: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

© 2018 Eric Thimell

Jesus’ Surprise Funeral (Matthew 27:55-66)

Recapitulation

Matthew closes his account of Jesus’ crucifixion and death with a mention of witnesses who looked on “from a distance.  He specifically mentioned “many women” who had “followed Him from Galilee” and “ministered to Him.”  By comparing various other passages in the gospels, we learn that that these were largely relatives of His parents.   The notable exception was Mary of Magdala from whom Jesus had cast seven demons. 

Earlier in His ministry, His family had taken exception to His abandoning them.  His fellow citizens from Nazareth had even tried to kill Him and He used those well-known events to illustrate the necessity of a higher loyalty to the kingdom of God.  But, all throughout His ministry some of His family – especially the womenfolk – saw to His physical needs.  They even followed Him from Galilee on this last final journey that led to Jerusalem and the cross.  John tells us that he and Jesus’ mother were also there for at least part of the time.  He may have escorted her back to his home at some point while the others stayed to watch the end.

Forsaken but not Abandoned

As Jesus died that day, those who stayed witnessed His cry, “My God, My God!  Why have you forsaken me?”  Forsaken by everyone.  Broken fellowship with His Father. But as the darkness fades and the light returns, Matthew records one more cry before yielding up His spirit, and Luke tells us His words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  John tells us He also said, “It is finished,” before dying.   The punishment for the sins of the world has been accomplished on the cross.  He has not been further punished by being abandoned to Hades as some have taught.  There was no weekend in hell.  Scripture doesn’t teach that.  His spirit went to the Father.  But His body did go to the grave—the grave of a rich man.  Our text is Matthew 27:55-66.

The Rushed Cleanup

Now we know Jesus died at 3 PM and the Jews were very sensitive about “uncleanness” caused by unburied corpses in the vicinity of the holy city of Jerusalem where they were about to eat the Passover.  So, they only had a very short window to clean up Golgotha.  Normally victims of crucifixion were allowed to hang there, sometimes for days, until they died.  They were then disposed of in a pit in the valley of Hinnom (the ravine south of the city which was a common dump that was always burning).  But today, they cannot wait.

Secret Followers

We learn in verse 57 that a “rich man” from Arimathea (a small village about 25 miles to the northwest) named Joseph who “also” was a disciple of Jesus entered the picture. The other gospels help fill out the details.  Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin but had voted against the execution of Jesus.  He (and Nicodemus) were acquaintances and both were secret followers of Jesus and while Joseph approached Pilate, Nicodemus purchased burial supplies.

Surprise Funeral

Matthew says Joseph asked for Jesus’ body.  (The other gospels tell us that Pilate was surprised that He was dead so soon and had the centurion verify the death.  This led to the soldiers breaking the other victims’ legs so they would die very quickly and then piercing Jesus’ side.)  Pilate gave his permission to Joseph—perhaps because he wished to see the other council members squirm as they did at his calling Jesus the King of the Jews.

So, Joseph and Nicodemus met up again at Golgotha with the official orders for the body and the burial supplies, but where could they bury Jesus?  Matthew says that Joseph ‘happened’ to have a “new tomb” “cut in the rock.”  Other gospel writers tell us that it was nearby in a “garden.”  Apparently, Joseph wished to be buried in the holy city of Jerusalem.  This may have been a new idea to be buried here instead of his hometown as his enthusiasm for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43) blossomed.  So, his wealth had made it all possible but now Jesus needed a tomb quickly as sunset approached.  Jesus’ family tomb in Nazareth (or perhaps Bethlehem) was too far.  That settled it.  The two secret followers washed and wrapped His body in a clean sheet with 75 pounds of spices that Nicodemus had brought and laid Him in Joseph’s own tomb.  Working together (and perhaps with hired help), they rolled a great stone in front of the entrance. 

The Watchers

All this time, Matthew tells us that Jesus’ aunt Mary (Joseph’s sister perhaps) and Mary of Magdala watched the procedure just as intently as they had watched the entire crucifixion.  They had not only witnessed the death of jesus on the cross, but they also witnessed His burial in the tomb.  Why?  Because they wished to prepare more spices to also anoint His body just as soon as it was possible.  They had now seen where He was buried and they planned to return at first light on Sunday after the Sabbath and Passover.

The Guards

Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin finished gloating over Jesus’ death only to see Jesus honored with a noble funeral by two of their own members and with Pilate’s blessing.  But as they thought about it, they realized that this could work to their advantage.  There was no way Jesus was going to be resurrected on the third day as they heard Him say but with Him in a tomb cut in the rock blocked by a huge stone, neither could His disciples attempt to steal the body and claim that He was alive IF they could only manage to seal and guard the tomb until Sunday.  They needed some non-Jewish soldiers who had no qualms about the Sabbath or cemeteries and Pilate’s blessing for an official seal to be placed on the tomb.  To keep the peace, Pilate agreed.  “Make it as secure as you can.”

Bold but not Fearless

Monday morning quarterbacks can see the irony in this whole affair.  Those who should have believed—the disciples—were in hiding and too fearful to believe.  Those who did not want to believe, were afraid of the disciples.  The two fearful secret believers screwed up their courage and beyond all hope took it upon themselves to bury Jesus in the eyes of many witnesses.  Did they even believe Jesus would rise again?  If so, why the spices that were supposed to cut the smell of decay?

Fearless but Heartbroken

Perhaps only the women who watched were seemingly fearless, though heartbroken.  Yet they, too, did not seem to believe that He would rise again.  They made plans to visit His body and bring spices on Sunday morning! 

Unbelief

Matthew 27 closes with a sense of fear and hopelessness on the part of those who should have believed and a display of fear by his enemies that even the dead “fraud’s” teaching could still defeat them. 

And yet behind all these activities, God was still working!  The whole tomb scenario would also act as a PROOF that Jesus was really dead AND that He really did rise from the dead—that the disciples could NOT have stolen the body.  And it fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that He would die with the wicked but make His grave with the rich—a verse that Matthew does not even point out.

© 2018 Eric Thimell

Forsaken for our Sake (Matthew 27:32-54)

Recapitulation

We come now to the most heart-constricting pericope in the Bible.  In Matthew 27:32-54, we have the shocking account of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.  If you have ever been falsely accused and condemned you still have only a tiny inkling of the humiliation (on top of the physical torment) that transpired during those miserable 12 hours one bleak Friday 1,988 years ago.

In our last study, we looked at the horrible whipping Jesus endured at the hands of Pilate’s legionnaires to weaken His ability to endure for long on the cross.  In the eyes of Rome, this was viewed as “merciful.”  After submitting to the follow-on mockery and abuse at the hands of the bloodthirsty sadistic soldiers, He was led away to the place of crucifixion.

Exhaustion

In verse 32, we notice another striking detail in Matthew’s account.  Normally, the condemned prisoner was required to carry his own heavy cross (or perhaps just the cross beam, called the patibulum) to the place of execution.  The parade route often took a deliberately lengthy path through the town so that all might see and be warned what Rome does to those who rebel against her.  But, Jesus was too exhausted to carry the cross and so the soldiers grabbed a strong on-looker and “compelled” (ESV) him to carry the cross for Him.  Matthew, in looking back, knows this man as Simon from Cyrene.  (Mark and Paul give us the tantalizing information that his sons became well-known believers perhaps because of their father’s conscription here). We know his hometown today as Tripoli in Libya, North Africa.  Simon was a devout Jew who had just arrived for the Passover. But Rome could compel any but full citizens to serve without notice.  So, Simon came from the shores of Tripoli and carried the cross of Another through the streets of Jerusalem to the place of execution where he would watch the Son of God die.

The Substitute

Jesus was not being punished for His own sins.  It was for Simon and every member of the human race.  If it had been you or I that day compelled to carry the patibulum, it would truly have been deserved.  But Simon did not die for his sins, Jesus did. But watching Simon that day makes us realize who really belongs there carrying the cross and Who was the real Substitute.  (We who believe do not die for our sins either, but we do carry our cross daily).

The Grim Hill

Matthew tells us that they came to a “place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull)”.  Matthew translates the Aramaic word into Greek (Kraniou). (Later Latin translators used the word Calvary [not cavalry!] which means skull.)  This was probably named for the rock formation which looked like a skull rather than for human bones lying about which would have offended Jewish sensibilities.  The name also emphasized the grim nature of the place.  It would have been outside the city walls as required by Jewish Law lest the city be defiled.  All executions and tombs must be located outside the city.  And Rome wanted it in a public place by the main road.

Drug Free Execution

While Matthew does not dwell on the details of the method of crucifixion, there are certain events of this day that he does single out.  He tells us that the soldiers offered Jesus wine to drink that had been “mixed with gall.”  Mark’s account is usually translated “wine mixed with myrrh.”  But the original words here had a rather broad range of meaning like our words “drink” and “coke” do today.  The words used here are an idiom that means “wine mixed with bitter drugs.”  It was wine that had something bitter added to dull the pain.  Matthew and Mark note that Jesus tasted but would not drink it.  Jesus was not taken by surprise at the taste but when it was pressed to His lips where he would have tasted it he refused what may have been considered another Roman “mercy.”  The important point is that He refused to be anesthetized during this ordeal.  While some have accused Him of being drugged, Matthew and Mark point out that He chose to remain clear-headed.

Clothing Raffle

Matthew then simply notes that “when they had crucified Him…” they divided His clothing.  The details again are missing.  Here is where they would have nailed His wrists to the patibulum that Simon had carried for Him.  Then His body would have been hoisted using ropes or ladders and affixed to the vertical beam permanently standing in this grim place.  Finally, his feet would have been nailed also to this vertical beam.  But Matthew does note a further ignominy.  His clothing (except perhaps for a loincloth required for Jewish sensibility) was divvied up by the soldiers who “cast lots” for it.  It is difficult to imagine these men coveting the bloody clothing but perhaps they could be cleaned and sold for a few coins.  Of what value is Jesus’ life?  A few coins?!

The Ironic Title

Then Matthew notes the titulus over Jesus’ head.  It was a placard containing the charges for which he was condemned.  It would have been slung over his neck during the parade informing the bystanders of what He had done.  In this case, it read (in three languages, according to John), “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”  Matthew mentions only the last phrase which was particularly upsetting to the Jewish leaders.  Pilate had turned the charge into a mockery of the Jewish leaders as if this is what we think of Jewish royalty!  But the crowds saw the sign and would later ponder the hidden truth.  This really was the King of the Jews.

The Last Temptation

Jesus was crucified before noon probably around 9 or 10 AM because of the time required for the morning trials under Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod and back to Pilate plus the parade through town.  Two convicted thieves were crucified on either side of Him.  Matthew does not tell us about the repentance of one of them.  We just see Jesus, head bowed, taking the mockery of the Jewish leaders before the gaping horror of the onlookers and the watchful eyes of the soldiers.  Matthew tells us that these leaders, in particular, once again asked Him to prove He was the Son of God by saving Himself and coming down from the cross.  (Obviously they had heard His claim.)  Satan, also, had once asked Jesus to fall down before him and worship him in exchange for the kingship of the world.  Peter, had tried to talk Jesus out of going to the cross. But, Jesus had long ago settled that issue as was obvious in the garden the previous evening and now on the cross where He kept His peace.  The leaders blasted Him with their blasphemy—their anger at His public condemnation of their hearts before the people had grown into this murder just as He had predicted.

The Father Turns Away

But at noon, the mockery was interrupted.  The sky suddenly went dark.  Passover takes place during the full moon so it could not have been an eclipse of the Sun by the moon.  (And eclipses only last a few minutes anyway.  This lasted for three hours.)  Everyone understood that this was supernatural.  The soldiers may have lit a fire so they could continue their watch but this was no ordinary darkness.  This was the hand of God Who in the beginning had created the light and separated the darkness from the light.  Even the night sky is softened by the light of the moon and stars but this darkness indicated His judgment.  After three hours of this, at 3PM, Jesus suddenly speaks in Aramaic.  “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”  (A few translations change this to Hebrew: “Eli, Eli . . .”). Many bystanders were unfamiliar with this language and misunderstood him to be praying to Elijah for help.  But the meaning was clear to those who knew Psalm 22 which describes the torture and death of the Messiah.  These are the opening words of that Psalm which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” 

Broken Fellowship

Much has been written of this dark saying.  We know that Jesus had taken upon Himself the weight of the sins of the world as Isaiah 53 predicted.  The Father had to turn away from the horror of this stain.  From all of eternity, the Father and the Son had never broken fellowship, but now this.  But as Peter preaches a few weeks from now in Acts 2:27, God will “not abandon my soul to hades, nor allow His Holy One to see corruption.”  In verse 31 Peter goes on to declare that David foresaw in that quote from Psalm 16 that Christ would not be abandoned to Hades and that He wouldn’t stay dead long enough for His body to rot.  He was forsaken temporarily but not abandoned. The fellowship of the trinity was broken so that we might have unbroken eternal fellowship with Him.

If Jesus could experience broken fellowship with the Father because of our sin, imagine what our sin does to our own fellowship with Him!  Fortunately, Jesus has paid for our sins providing forgiveness.  1 John provides a way for those who believe to restore that fellowship by confessing our sin.  Jesus had no sin of His own to confess so His restoration came Sunday morning when it was all over and the angels would minister to Him.

He Gave His Life

But the crowds did not understand His words.  Some bystanders sought to alleviate His thirst and offered Him more wine.  Others who had braved the darkness wondered if Elijah was coming.  But instead Jesus cried out again with a loud voice (perhaps the wine moistened His parched vocal cords).  Luke tells us that His final words were, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.”  And then He died.  Life was not taken from the Author of life—He gave it. 

Three More Supernatural Events

And at that moment, there were three more supernatural events.  The veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom.  This fabric was made from 72 thickly woven squares—more like rugs than curtains.  The material was about an inch thick but it was now just completely ripped.  Its original function was to guard against anyone from entering into the room behind the veil called the Holy of Holies where the presence of the Lord resided.  Only on the day of atonement could the high priest enter with blood to approach God but now there is no longer a need for atoning sacrifices because Christ’s sacrifice fulfilled the Law.  The way to God is now open to all through Christ our sacrifice instead of by means of an animal sacrifice.  Christ is now our mediator—our High Priest.

The Father Has His Say

There were two more supernatural events at this time.  A huge earthquake so shook the ground that the rocks were split and many tombs in the area were thrown open.  These were caves with huge rocks covering the entrance that had split apart so that they could be entered.  Matthew says that “many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.”  But the fact of their resurrection was unknown in the city until Sunday morning when these saints started showing up all over the town.  But camped out on Golgotha, the watching soldiers saw only the eerie darkness and the frightening earthquake followed by the abrupt end to the darkness and they were filled with dread and declared, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”  They had heard Him mocked for claiming to be the Son of God but now these hardened Gentile soldiers were utterly convinced.  Luke says, the centurion “praised God” and many went home “beating their breasts.”  The crowd has had their say but now God has had His say.

The most evil and terrible event in human history has been redeemed by God to accomplish the greatest good ever done.  There is no sin too great to be forgiven.  But the freely proffered gift of eternal life can be rejected thus forfeiting any forgiveness.  But His blood was shed for all—even you and me.

© 2018 Eric Thimell

Which Jesus Will You Serve—Christ or Barabbas? (Matthew 27:11-31)

Recapitulation

In Matthew 27:11-31, Jesus has just been condemned by the Jewish leadership but they cannot legally execute anyone. Furthermore, the trial was rigged with false witnesses who couldn’t even get their own stories straight.  And in the end, they justified their sentence based on a charge of blasphemy.  He couldn’t really be the Messiah, the Son of God, they thought, so His claim in open court was blasphemy.  But even this charge was an afterthought.  They were not so concerned about God as much as themselves.  They did not want to lose their current prestige, position, and power in the kingdom of Judea for a position in the promised Kingdom of God. Jesus had said the kingdom of God must be more important than anyone or anything in this world.

The Handoff

But there was just one legal snag in getting rid of the King. Only the Romans could carry out capital punishment.  So, they handed Him off to the Roman governor with some completely false charges that had no connection with the blasphemy charge by the Sanhedrin the night before.

Matthew does not go into the details of this exchange with Pilate—nor does Mark—but Luke tells us more about how they misrepresented the charges, saying that “He forbids giving tax tribute to Caesar” (and claims to be a king).  But in truth, less than a week ago, Jesus had said clearly that they ought to “render to Caesar the things that are his.”  It is apparent, when comparing the four gospel accounts, that Pilate had to go back and forth between the palace gate (or, more likely, a window overlooking the gate) and the judgment hall because Jesus was within while the Jews refused to enter the home of a Gentile lest they be defiled and forbidden to eat the Passover.  (It is okay to lie and murder but not okay to miss eating the Passover! Later, Paul wrote that the Law can’t save you because when you fail in one point you have failed in all)

Pilate’s Cross Examination

Matthew condemns this turn of events and gets straight to Pilate’s questioning of Jesus.  It is obvious that Pilate felt he has benefited from his interview with the leaders standing at the gate regarding the (false) charges.  So, he asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews.”  This is one of Matthew’s great themes: Jesus is the King. He replied the same way He had done with the Jewish leaders— “You said it.”

But Jesus only seems to reply to questions about the truth and will not reply to false accusations, Pilate’s frustration begins to grow as noted by Matthew.  Pilate is amazed by this because the system expected the prisoner to defend himself by talking his way out.  Pilate quickly understands that Jesus is innocent and these Jews are envious of Him but he can do nothing if the charges go unanswered.

The Side Trip to Herod

It is at this point that Pilate decides to mix things up and sends Jesus to Herod Antipas (the son of Herod the Great who tried to kill the infant Jesus in Bethlehem). He happens to be present in his palace in Jerusalem. This Herod is a provincial ruler that had local jurisdiction over Galilee and Perea where Jesus was known to have done most of his ministry.  Judea, Samaria and Idumea (former Edom) was originally ruled by another son of Herod, Archelaus, but the rule had passed to a Roman proconsul to keep better control of the unruly province.  Matthew says nothing about this side trip since Herod, too, thought Jesus was innocent, but for a joke he had Him arrayed in a royal robe and sent back.  This tag team action endeared the two formerly quarreling rulers to each other.

Pilate’s wife had even gotten involved, sending her husband a message to free Jesus because she had suffered a disturbing dream about Him.  While the Romans were strong believers in omens, Pilate was also fearful of how Tiberias Caesar would view his handling of things this day, should a riot break out.  He had previously incurred the wrath of Caesar by ignoring the pleas of the Jews at his mounting the shields of the legion on the outer walls of the fortress.  Caesar had forced him to back down. 

Let the People Decide

So, Pilate, like the Sanhedrin, was forced to make a choice.  On the one hand, it is evident that he believed in fairness and justice as an ideal.  He believed that Jesus was innocent.  But he also feared for the wrath of Caesar if he did not control these crazy Jews.  To promote goodwill, he had customarily released a prominent prisoner every Passover.  The people loved him for it.  So, he decided to pit the will of the common people against their leaders.  He knew Jesus had been very popular even here in Jerusalem as he had seen the previous Sunday.  So, he proposed to let the people choose between two prisoners: Jesus Christ or Jesus Barabbas.  Barabbas was a notorious leader of a failed insurrection who was on death row for murder.  Many ancient Bible manuscripts include his first name (Jesus) but in many others pious medieval copyists removed it feeling that the name was preposterous blasphemy.  In effect, the people could choose which Jesus would be released.  Pilate probably thought that if it were a popularity contest, Jesus Christ would win and the leaders would lose and justice would be served. No one manipulates Pilate.

The Rabble is Roused

It is at this point while the people are mulling over their choice and Pilate was conferring with his wife that the high priests were busily stirring up the people to vote for Jesus Barabbas.  As Pilate returned to the window overlooking the gate, the crowd had multiplied and seeing him, they cried, “Give us Barabbas.  Crucify Jesus Christ.  His blood be on us and on our children.”

The King Rejected

So, Pilate washed his hands in front of them signifying that he was allowing their condemnation (not his) to stand.  This day, Jesus had been declared innocent five times, but He would be crucified nevertheless.  The people had chosen their Jesus (which means Savior).  In recording the ominous reply of the people, (“His blood be upon us and on our children”), Matthew is not urging anyone to take action against the Jews.  He himself is a Jew.  It is a grave injustice that many have used this verse to justify the worst barbarities and all the other evil that has fallen upon this people over the years.  But it would be a mistake to miss Matthew’s dire warning here—a terrible future awaits anyone who rejects the rightful King.

Matthew has shown us Jesus’ mistreatment and rejection by His own people through the betrayal of a partner in minister, to his mockery of a trial at the hands of the leaders of His own faith group and nation—the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas, Pilate (Representing Caesar) and Herod—all the power of the kingdoms of this world.

Scourged

And now Matthew notes Jesus’ scourging which was the first step in crucifixion. This was not a Jewish method of execution but was peculiar to the Romans.  It served as a serious warning to any who might think about defying the will of Rome.  Death came not from blood loss but by asphyxiation.  One’s own strength merely prolonged the agony so the victim was whipped to sap their strength.  It was considered merciful in Roman eyes.  The victim was bent over a low post and tied there with his back arched to best receive the 39 lashes which always brought the victim close to death.

Mocked

And then, the bloodthirsty Roman cohort (which could number 500-600 soldiers) was allowed to torment and mock the victim.  They removed His own clothes and put a royal robe on Him—perhaps the one Herod sent over—and a crown of thorns and handed Him a reed for a scepter.  They mocked him in similar fashion to their fellows who had mistreated him at Caiaphas’ palace early that morning.  Then, their fun over, they stripped him again and put his own clothing back on him and prepared to march him to the place of crucifixion.  They were going to finish killing the rightful King.

The Wrong Jesus Chosen

This cruel choice was made not by Jews alone but by Romans as well.  By rich and poor, commoners and elite, all had complicity in choosing the wrong Jesus.  It is a choice we all are called to make.  Who will you serve?

© 2018 Eric Thimell

The Disciple Who Came to the End of His Rope (Matthew 27:1-10)

Recapitulation

In Matthew 27 we are now moving from Peter weeping outside in the dark back to Caiaphas’ courtyard where Jesus has been mercilessly beaten and secretly condemned by an ad hoc ‘committee of concerned religious leaders.’  You will recall that this took place upstairs and then Jesus was brought downstairs to the courtyard where Peter was busily denying any association with Him for fear of the servant girls.  Just then, Jesus turned and looked at Peter, the rooster crowed, and Peter suddenly realized with horror what he had done.  At that, he fled the courtyard weeping with remorse. 

Legalizing the Illegal

Matthew picks up the account in 27:1-10.  In vv. 1-2 we learn that at daybreak, the Sanhedrin needed to make the illegal condemnation legal, so they gathered as many council members as they could muster and convened another session that did what could only be done legally in the light of day.  While Matthew doesn’t give us every detail, we understand that they also needed to concur on some charges that Rome would agree were worthy of capital punishment—something treasonous or seditious.  We will follow that thread in our next study as we look at an innocent man condemned to die.  But, Jesus is now in the hands of Pilate, the Roman governor.

Analyzing Peter’s Actions

Now, before we return to lost Judas in v. 3, let’s recall limping Peter.  Last time we looked at his unnecessary dance with death and saw how his good and brave motivation nearly became his own worst enemy.  For Peter, where did it all begin to unravel?

Nothing was turning out according to Peter’s plan.  Jesus was betrayed and arrested—so he got angry and nearly killed a man and then began stalking the man’s friends looking for an opportunity to rescue the kingdom of God and its King.  His frustration had turned to anger.  His anger had turned to hate and hate turned to attempted murder which he tried to cover up with lies.  Sin had found a home in his heart and, as James says, the “wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” and sin does have its own consequences.  But, God can redeem the consequences of our sinful actions.  In Peter’s case, his despair will turn to hope on Sunday morning.  We cannot thwart God’s will by our own willfulness. 

We also noticed that Peter was totally oblivious to the spiritual battlefield he had entered for which he was dreadfully unprepared. This resulted in the bitter pain of broken fellowship with both God and man and with that he fades off the pages of Matthew for good.  John and Luke pick up the story of Peter’s reconciliation and later ministry.  Peter is limping and licking his wounds but he is not lost. It is only the grace of God that preserved him.

Has God ever rescued you from the worst possible consequences of your own misdeeds? 

What about the fact that Peter had “denied the Lord before men?”  Earlier, Jesus said that if we deny Him before men He would deny us before the Father.  So, some people say both Peter and Judas did just that.  But actually, there was a difference.

Analyzing Judas’ Actions

Now in verse 3, Matthew notes the surprise that Judas experienced in seeing Jesus condemned.  He had spent 3½ years with Jesus and he knew this was an innocent man.  He had seen Jesus elude the authorities’ traps in so many astonishing ways that he apparently thought Jesus would get out of this predicament also.  So perhaps he had intended to force Jesus' hand—in any case, he knew Jesus was innocent of all charges, but now He is in the hands of Pilate.  So, Judas too, like Peter, was trying to bring in the kingdom in the wrong way.  But the big difference was that, unlike Peter, it was for the wrong motivation.  Judas was greedy, but Peter was impatient.  In a sense, Judas had not denied Jesus at all.  He came up and kissed Him before everyone!  But greeting his Rabbi in public was not a demonstration of faith in His teaching.  And the kiss was just as fake.

So, now that Jesus was condemned and handed over to the Romans, Judas was shocked and confused.  He, like Peter, was overcome with remorse and he tried to undo his actions by returning the blood money.  But the hypocritical priests, who were ready to murder an innocent man, were not willing to accept the money paid to obtain his arrest!  “See to it yourself,” they said.  Deal with it.  If you betrayed an innocent man, his blood is on you—not us.  We didn’t betray him, you did.  The blood money is yours.  So, in great frustration and anger, Judas threw the money into the temple and fled.

Now, the priests wouldn’t dare put the blood money in the temple treasury so they used it to purchase a plot of ground known for its clay soil that was useless for agriculture and mainly utilized by makers of clay pots.  Alfred Edersheim, a noted converted Jewish scholar, says it was probably located down at the junction of two canyons below the heights of the temple mount where the Kidron joined the Hinnom valley.  There are deep deposits of sedimentary clay there where the bloody runoff from the temple altar flowed day and night especially this time of year.  For this reason, it may have already been called the “potter’s field” and the “field of blood.”  Henceforth, this ground would be used as a cemetery for foreigners.

Fulfillment of Scripture

In an eerie deal reminiscent of both the prophet Zechariah and of the prophet Jeremiah (Matthew credits Jeremiah), the priests unwittingly re-enact both prophecies.  Jeremiah 32:8 tells how the Lord told Jeremiah to buy some land belonging to the priests.  He weighs out the silver and then seals the property deed in a clay pot.  Zechariah 11:12-13 talks about the prophet receiving 30 pieces of silver as wages for some deliberately shoddy shepherding that resulted in deaths among the shepherds.  He took the money and threw it into the temple to purchase the potter’s field.

How did Judas’ Die?

But in Matthew’s day, before this real estate transaction could take place, Judas departed the temple in confusion, frustration, and anger and walked the desolate paths of the Hinnom valley (where the ever-burning piles of refuse in that landfill were used as a metaphor for hell—thus came its name in Hebrew—Gehenna).  It was there he probably came upon this very plot of land—the potter’s field—not yet purchased.  Edersheim concludes that Judas likely found a stunted tree on the side of the canyon to which he climbed up and tying his girdle around his neck and over an ancient branch he hanged himself.  However, as we learn from Luke in Acts 1:18-19, apparently the branch broke and he fell on the jagged rocks there disemboweling himself upon the field of blood.

What Happened, Judas?

What kept Judas from repenting?  He wasn’t just limping like Peter.  He was lost.  He wanted the kingdom only so he could follow his own desires and greed.  His pride would not allow him to return.  In any case, he totally missed the resurrection—the event which turned Peter around.  Judas simply did not believe anything more than that Jesus was innocent.  And he had pinned all his dreams and hopes on this Messiah figure only to have them dashed by his own duplicity.  He could not live with the failure.

What would you have said to Judas that Friday morning if you were manning the suicide hotline? 

Note:  Today we still long for a “kingdom of peace and light.” In our longing, we must be careful that we are following our King’s instructions.  This is a spiritual battle though it has physical consequences.  We pray for this kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  There is yet a tendency to look at human leaders and human methods to hasten that day—even justifying short term evil for long term good.  Yes, God used a Nebuchadnezzar to chastise His people and a Caesar to crucify His Son but they are accountable to God for their actions as are Judas and Peter.  What a shock to realize that Judas’ actions hastened the kingdom that he will never see!

© 2018 Eric Thimell

The Disciple’s Denial—The Night It All Went Wrong (Matthew 26:69-75)

Scandal Coming

We turn now to the heartbreaking record of the lowest place in Peter’s association with Jesus.  We have already remarked on Jesus’ prediction that all His disciples would “fall away.”  We pointed out that the original word is literally “to be offended” or “to stumble.”  It is where our English word “scandal” comes from.  Jesus warned them that they would all be “scandalized” or “tripped up” by their association with Him at His soon coming condemnation.  But Peter (and indeed all the disciples) vehemently protested this denigrating of their loyalty—especially coming on the heels of His declaration that one of them was a traitor and would betray Him.

Condemnation for Denial

Remember, that in Matthew 10, Jesus had instructed the twelve before sending them out to teach and preach throughout Israel. He had warned them not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  He added that “whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

In the Courtyard

But now we turn to our text in Matthew 26:69-75.  In this narrative, we are once again looking at Peter.  Matthew has cleverly shifted our focus back and forth between Jesus and the disciples as a group, as well as individual snapshots of Judas and Peter and their various interactions with Jesus on one pole and the Jewish leaders on the other.  Matthew shows that although the motivations of Peter and Judas were quite opposite, still Peter appears in a rather dismal light.

In our text, Peter is now sitting “outside in the courtyard.”  A common feature of Israelite homes for a thousand years had been that of a ground floor room used for storage and for a stable with up to four rooms above and alongside with direct access to this central room.  At the time of Jesus, the central room was often replaced by an open central courtyard where guests were received and surrounded by the rooms of a two-story house.  This was apparently the kind of home that the high priest had.  Peter was in this courtyard but outside the house where the cold night air required a charcoal fire to keep warm among the soldiers and others who had participated in the seizure of Jesus.

Discovery

Despite his attempt on the life of Caiaphas’ security chief, Malchus, in the darkness Peter had managed to maintain some anonymity and so he boldly followed the mob right up to the high priest’s courtyard where John tells us that he spoke to the servant girl to let Peter in.  As Peter warmed himself by the fire, the servant girl who had scanned his features when she let him in suddenly realized that she remembered where she had seen the big fisherman before.  She had seen him with Jesus who was this very moment upstairs in the house being arraigned.  Her position in the house of the corrupt high priest was likely tied to some family loyalty so she promptly spoke up and denounced him.  “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”  Apparently, she was referring to him as well as the other disciples—not realizing that John also had a connection.

Denial

“But (Peter) denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’”    His first denial is a bit of a subterfuge—as if he did not directly deny Jesus—but rather he was denying the accusation!  But of course, this was a denial of any connection with Jesus even though it might be parsed to merely mean that her accusation was surprising to him and he didn’t understand how she could make such a statement.  The fact remains, he understood only too well.  Perhaps he justified to himself that he might use this bit of verbal gymnastics to stay with Jesus and not “fall away.”  But Peter certainly knew better and so he got up from the fire and tried to hide in the darkness of the covered gatehouse.  This first sin was NOT that he tried to protect himself (here he is right in the midst of the anti-Jesus faction!) but that he placed his own security ABOVE his loyalty to Jesus—in other words, it was idolatry as well as lying. (It is also barely possible that he was trying to continue his surveillance through subterfuge and find a way to “rescue” Jesus but his statement is still a falsehood.)

But another sharp-eyed servant girl was there (and by harmonizing the various gospel accounts we know she joined with the first one now) and she (or they) accused him before the bystanders further.  “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  And again, Peter denied it—but now with an oath.  He was swearing in order to add some punch to his denial.  But Jesus had preached against swearing for the purpose of making people believe you.  And in this case, calling God as his witness did not make Peter’s denial suddenly true.  Peter declared, quite falsely, “I do not know the man.”

The Rooster Crows

Finally, an hour later according to John, the bystanders, perhaps hearing Peter nervously talking a bit, realized that his northern Galilee accent probably tied him to Jesus.  This was too much for Peter who wanted to stay here with Jesus at all costs.  “He began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man.’”  His declaration seemed to mollify the bystanders.  But, at that moment, Jesus was being led down the stairs to the courtyard where they would beat Him (according to Luke) and just then, He looked at Peter, and then the rooster crowed.

Jesus’ look caused Peter to suddenly realize that in his determination to not “fall away” and abandon Jesus, he had yet denied Him—three times—just as Jesus predicted—AND Jesus knew.  This bitter realization–not the accusations from the servant girls and the bystanders—caused Peter to also abandon Jesus and run out of the courtyard where he wept “bitterly.”  The fact that Jesus’ knew what he had done was too much for him.

A few hypocrites would thereby condemn Peter for “denying Jesus before men.”  But is this an unforgivable sin?  Yes, Judas also denied (the original word also means “to refuse”) Jesus.  Is there a difference in these cases?  (We will examine that more deeply next time.)  For now, let us examine what went wrong.

What Went Wrong?

The record of all the disciples—of the twelve—was not what you should expect of people who have been “discipled” by Jesus Himself.  Being a “disciple” is a commendable thing but it is not going to make you “bulletproof” in your battle with “the world, the flesh, and the devil.”  What had Peter (and all the rest of the disciples) failed to do?

Remember that three times Jesus had prodded His top three lieutenants—Peter, James, and John—to do what this very night?  They needed divine aid that they enter not into temptation.  But their flesh cried out instead for sleep in their hour of spiritual need.  This is why Luther’s great hymn contains the line “the arm of flesh will fail you.”

Lack of Spiritual Preparation

They needed to actually pray.  The kind of prayer needed was not a mere recitation of the Lord’s prayer—although it contains the appropriate sentiment “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”    A recitation of words will never save us.  But asking the God of the universe for help can move mountains.  They need a prayer that acknowledged their need and requested help from God that they might overcome in a spiritual battle.  This is why Jesus at the moment of His arrest said to Peter, “Put away your sword.”  You need spiritual weapons.  You are not battling with flesh and blood—although that is how it looked to Peter.  So off he went into an unfamiliar spiritual battle completely unprepared and now you know the “rest of the story.”

Discerning Spiritual Issues

What crisis are you battling?  What are your weapons?  The truly important crises are spiritual in nature even though they may appear to be physical.  Thus, our actions may be wrongly focused on and against other people that we perceive to be the “enemy” but they are really just other victims.  Even our prayers can be focused too much on the physical issues when the real battle is spiritual.  We must not ignore the physical but we need discernment and wisdom that comes from God to recognize the spiritual issues behind the physical.

Peter had good motivations initially but he faltered and began to fight what he thought were enemies only to realize that he had been fighting the wrong battle.  He tried to kill Malchus, he sparred with servant girls and bystanders only to be defeated by misidentifying the enemy and using the wrong weapons in his well-intentioned desire to be true to Jesus.

Sufficiency and Necessity

Good motivation is not enough.  Personal determination is not enough.  Physical strength and mental acuity is not enough.  Being “discipled” and Bible study is not enough. Yes, they are all necessary but not sufficient.  We also need the wisdom and strength of the Lord which God gives to those who ask (James 1:5).

© 2018 Eric Thimell

The Condemnation of the Messiah (Matthew 26:57-68)

Recapitulation

At the end of Matthew 22, we looked at a question Jesus tossed back to His questioners earlier in the week.  They had been asking Him trick questions which He answered handily and then He said, Let Me ask you something, “Whose Son is the Christ?”  Yes, He is David’s son but why, then, does David call Him “Lord” in Psalm 110:1?  The inescapable conclusion was that the Messiah must also be the Son of God but they were unwilling to say that publicly when so many were on the verge of proclaiming Him to be the Messiah.

Are You the Messiah?

But now that they have arrested Jesus in the dead of night and have Him in front of the Sanhedrin and the elders and the high priest Caiaphas, this question will be used against Him.  But first, let us look at the passage in Matthew 26:57-68.

Condemned by Caiaphas

Matthew tells us that the mob who had arrested Jesus took Him to the home of Caiaphas the high priest.  But we learn in John 18 that they made a stopover at Annas’ house before going to see Caiaphas.  Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas.  Matthew apparently wants to get right to the official proceeding before the Sanhedrin which would result in Jesus’ condemnation.  John is pointing out that the whole procedure was so highly irregular that no one seemed to know where to take Him while Matthew was examining the condemnation itself.

Peter’s Determined Surveillance

Matthew has this interesting interplay between what is happening with Jesus and what is happening with Peter.  We learn from Matthew that Peter was following at a distance.  He had been pretty bold in his insistence that he wouldn’t deny the Lord so, heart pounding, he follows even though he had nearly taken one guy’s head off. But at Caiaphas’ house, his fellow disciple John tells us that he got Peter past the guard into the courtyard because he was “known” to the high priest.  John could apparently come and go—unlike Peter.  Matthew skips this information about John and only tells us that Peter was in the courtyard warming himself by the fire with the soldiers.  The night was getting colder.  So far, Peter was determined to see this thing through to the end.  We will look at how his determination to remain loyal to Jesus worked out next time.  But so far, He is sticking by his word.

Night Court

Meanwhile, inside the house—which was more like a palace—the official Jewish religious court, called the Sanhedrin, had been summoned—in the middle of the night—to hear the case against Jesus.  They normally heard cases in the daylight in a chamber adjoining the Temple.  But, this trial was held at night lest the people get wind of it and begin rioting—causing problems for the Sanhedrin with the Roman government

The Sanhedrin’s Case

So, what was the Sanhedrin’s case against Jesus?  So far, they had nothing legally but notice that they had either already assembled and were only awaiting the arrival of Jesus for a secret trial or were summoned after midnight!  They were meeting at a time and place that would allow the trial to proceed without fear of interference by rioting.  Matthew has already pointed out in several places they had already predetermined they wanted to execute Him for a couple of reasons.  1)  He was a danger to the precarious political balance of power in Israel which could cost them their power and position.  2) He had offended them greatly in exposing their hypocrisy and collusion with Rome before the people.  And they were already between a rock and a hard place—between Roman politics and Jewish moral sensitivity.  Jesus had to die.  But they needed a legal pretense—something that would satisfy both the people and Rome.  Surely somebody could find some dirt somewhere! 

The Search for Sin

Matthew has already indicated that the process of looking for something to charge Him with had been going on for some time.  Remember how they had spent the week asking Him trick questions?  And tonight they began interviewing potential pairs of witnesses—people who would swear to having witnessed some infraction of the law.  The law required two witnesses for any charge to stick.  But they couldn’t come up with two accusers who could agree on a valid accusation.

Finally, they found two guys whose accusation was pretty flimsy and more of a technicality, but they swore before God that they heard Jesus say that “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.”  Now Jesus HAD said something like this in John 2:19 although Matthew did not record it.  According to John, Jesus was asked for a sign early in His ministry right after the first cleansing of the temple and He told them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”  John notes there that Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body.  So, Jesus was not threatening to destroy THE temple but rather to restore it after THEY destroyed it.  These witnesses had heard Him wrongly –and perhaps this is reasonable after three years for them to get it wrong—or perhaps it was a deliberate bearing of false witness.  And, the technicality they seized upon was that you weren’t supposed to speak evil against the temple of God and so now they had false witnesses who swore that Jesus had blasphemed against the holy temple.  The irony is that THEY were planning to destroy Jesus’ temple!

Cross-Examination

Flimsy, but enough to allow Jesus to be cross-examined about this accusation.  But, Jesus refused to answer.  He wasn’t about to defend Himself.  There was nothing to defend.  This exasperated the High Priest so much that he finally exploded, “I adjure you, by the Living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Aha!  This is also the answer to the very question they refused to answer a few days earlier in public.  The Messiah—the Christ—was not only David’s son but also the Son of God!  And they knew it yet refused to admit it publicly.  But would Jesus now admit that He was the Christ?

Jesus’ Confession

Many people have made the claim that Jesus never said He was the Christ.  Or never said He was God.  But look at Jesus’ reply!  “You have said so,” in the ESV and NIV.  “You have said it.”  (NLT) “You have said it yourself,” (NASB). “Yes, I am,” (God’s Word Translation).  In today’s vernacular He might have said, “Bingo,” or “You got it.”

But not only that.  He added, “And the time is coming when you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  (My translation).  This is a well-known quote from Daniel 7:13 where Daniel has a vision of the return of the Messiah in power and great glory.  The high priest was well-acquainted with the passage and knew that Jesus was claiming to be this Holy One that Daniel saw.

Condemnation

He was horrified that a mere man would claim to be the Christ.  In his eyes, this was blasphemy indeed.  No need for false accusations!  He tore his robes and said, “What more do we need?”  (Later in the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas had healed a lame man in the town of Lystra and the people assumed they were Roman gods come down in the guise of men and wanted to sacrifice to them!   But Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and told them the truth and could barely restrain them.) The Sanhedrin was also shocked by Jesus affirmation.  They quickly condemned Him to death.  

Striking the Shepherd

Now, it is possible that some members may not have agreed—like Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea.  We do not have the names of those who were present. But Matthew tells us that they took turns hitting Him and spitting on Him and abusing Him before delivering Him to Pilate the governor for sentencing and execution.  The Romans did not allow the Sanhedrin to carry out capital punishment.

The Offense of the Messiah

Isn’t it interesting, that 2,000 years later, people, even believers, are still offended by and resist Jesus’ message.  Why?  It is really for some of the same reasons the Sanhedrin accused Him.   1)  He still exposes hidden sins.  2) He calls for change in our lifestyle.  3) He challenges our most deeply held beliefs—and unbelief.  And there are many ways Jesus will continue to challenge us even after we begin to follow Him.  Peter was one of those we will look at next.

© 2018 Eric Thimell