🙏🏻 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit – Help us to fully embrace the Good News you are announcing in this gospel as we examine the final two chapters of Matthew. We ask for Your help in doing this, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Where have we been so far? (Click here to jump to the recap of chapters 1 through 26.)
Judas Hangs Himself
27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” [Zechariah 11:12,13 Jeremiah 19:1-13, 32:6-9]
Points to Ponder: Remember the harsh words Jesus had for the Pharisees who were so self-focused that they were preventing others from entering the Kingdom? [Matthew 23:13] This is a perfect example. Judas sees his sin finally and goes to the ones He thought could help him. They don’t. And what’s worse, they don’t see their own part in the sin.
So now Judas – who betrayed Jesus – is himself betrayed and abandoned by those he collaborated with. In his despair, I guess he forgot that Jesus called him, friend. He condemns himself by ending his life without going to Jesus in repentance.
Let us always remember that God has given us the gift of repentance when we see our own sinful actions and attitudes. And let us offer the same grace and forgiveness to others as we’ve received.
Jesus Before Pilate
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Points to Ponder: Few in leadership actually have the strength and the fortitude to do what is right. [Micah 6:8] We see the injustice here – Pilate is convinced of Jesus’ innocence. His wife is convinced of His innocence. Pilate tries to find a compromise that will allow him to release Jesus, but the fury of a whipped-up mob has been stirred… and Pilate is now more concerned for his own safety than for Jesus’. Notice Pilate’s words to the crowd… he echoes the Pharisees’ words to Judas! (Not my problem, I’m innocent, this is your responsibility.)
The power of a mob in a frenzy is wild. The crowd claims Jesus’ blood for themselves and for their children! That’s awful, but God can even work with that! Soon those same people will be told that it is actually Jesus’ shed blood that can wash them clean… if they acknowledge their sins and bring them to Jesus in repentance. Then, when they understand the great mystery being revealed on the world stage – this Gospel of great news – they will share that wonder with their children. How could they not?
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Points to Ponder: This is what the coronation ceremony looks like when humans must call God their King.
(Quite a bit different from the TV coverage of the recent coronation of King Charles. We like the ceremony and pomp of celebrating a new king… a new president… a new pope… because after the ceremony, there is really very little impact to our lives. There’s always a lot of talk about change… about hope… about promises for the future… but that’s all it is, talk.)
Jesus’ coronation was truly different. Time and history both would be referred to as BC and AD in reference to Jesus.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Points to Ponder: Matthew highlights the one accusation referring to the temple. It is worth remembering that the temple represented the presence of God.
The whole legal system of sacrifice and offerings were pointing to a way in which sinful people could appeal to a Holy God. Only the High Priest could enter the holiest of places in the temple, which was separated by a thick, heavy curtain.
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). [Psalm 22:1]
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 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!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Points to Ponder: Three hours of darkness while Jesus suffered the consequences of our sin – separation from God and death. When He died, the work of redemption was completed. Many people who had died were resurrected. The Roman centurion, whose job was to crucify people, testifies that this one is different. He and the others with him must have heard all that the people were saying and they see clearly in the signs around them – Jesus is the Son of God.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Points to Ponder: Here we see Joseph of Arimathea, do the ‘one thing’ he could do. The tomb that he had secured for his own burial… brand new, never used… given to honor the body of Jesus.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Points to Ponder: Ah, again, the best plans of man cannot defeat the purposes of God. It is hard to doubt the resurrection when the Jewish and the Roman leadership make provision to secure the tomb. They have eliminated many myths here: (1) Jesus was in a different tomb. Nope – they knew where He was buried. (2) The disciples stole the body. Nope – this is exactly what they were guarding against.
Jesus Has Risen
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Points to Ponder: An earthquake – for one angel comes to roll back the stone. The guards – seasoned soldiers – are afraid. The women are the ones to hear of Jesus’ resurrection first. They are the first to see the resurrected Jesus. ( This is quite the counter-cultural choice since Jewish law doesn’t permit testimony from women.)
The Guards’ Report
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Points to Ponder: And the lie is hatched. We read elsewhere that if a prisoner escaped on a guard’s watch, the guard was executed. [Acts 12:18-19] It is highly unlikely that these guards would sleep during a watch… and the noise of people rolling the stone away to steal the body while they slept? This isn’t just one guard… this report came from ‘some of the guards’… i.e., more than one. It’s just too unbelievable, yet that is the story the chief priests and elders had devised.
Think about it. It takes more faith to believe that story! 😊
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Points to Ponder: The Great Commission – in the 2000 years since His resurrection, this is our purpose. We fit somewhere in the mission of making new disciples. Some teach, some preach, some encourage, some give financial support, some walk-through difficult times with other brothers and sisters… all bring the love of God and the truth of the Gospel to others.
Don’t miss how His final words begin… All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… therefore… I think we could sit with that statement alone for all that it implies.
Summary: This Gospel concludes with Jesus completing the work required to enable mankind to be redeemed. He is now king with all authority and we are left with everything we need to make the only decision that matters in this life – do I believe this? If I do, then that means He’s my King… as well as my Savior, my Friend, my Priest.
It means, that I recognize that I am a sinner… I need a savior… and if I was the only human on earth, He would still do all this… just to save me.
🙏🏻 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit – Thank You for Your Word. It has been an honor and a privilege to spend this time with You in remembering the Good News of Jesus Christ – doing for us, what we could not and transforming us into what we are not. We love you and praise you. Amen.
- Chapter 1 – The genealogy of Jesus showing this has always been God’s plan to restore humanity. GOD IS FAITHFUL.
- Chapter 2 – The wise men, the outsiders search for the king. His own people reject and try to kill Jesus. NOT ALL HAVE EYES TO SEE.
- Chapter 3 – John the Baptist prepares the way by calling people to repentance and baptizing Jesus. IF WE ‘SEE’, HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
- Chapter 4 – Jesus is tested by Satan in the wilderness. He remains faithful and standing strong using the Word of God. Jesus begins His mission – gathering disciples, healing, and preaching about God’s Kingdom. JESUS SHOWS US THE WAY.
- Chapter 5 – Sermon on the Mount – Part 1. Rethink everything! What it means to be blessed… what is our purpose… this was always the message of the Old Testament. You think you know right from wrong? Not just murder, but anger and dismissing others is wrong. Not just adultery, but leering is wrong. Divorce may be legal but it was never part of God’s design – keep your promises – all of them… integrity matters to the people around you. Eye-for-eye? No! Learn to love your enemies.
- Chapter 6 – Sermon on the Mount – Part 2. Draw near to God, your father, in relationship. No showy religion when serving God or others. Pray to God, earnestly. Fast for a purpose. Do all this in secret where your Father sees you and rewards you in heaven. Don’t worry about the things of this world… He sees your giving… he sees your working… he hears your praying… he sees and knows what you need? Trust Him – Seek Him first; everything else falls into place.
- Chapter 7 – Sermon on the Mount – Part 3. Living it out as a disciple of Christ. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME… ALONE. 😉 Christian life is designed to be lived out in a community – connected to God through Jesus in order to connect to other believers. As this new life progresses, this life is designed to be generational. You start as a baby… you need to learn from your Christian siblings and your Christian parents. Don’t judge others, you’re still a child! Pray always… continually… He’s waiting to spend time with you! And be bold… try something new. Do something for someone else that you would like. This is the way He told us to live – not everyone will be faithful, but you are in charge of your decisions. Building your life on the teachings of Jesus is akin to a house on a solid foundation.
- Chapter 8 – JESUS WALKS THE TALK. He teaches and He puts it into action – healing a leper, healing the servant of a Roman officer – nothing is outside of His domain. He heals those with fevers and those possessed by demons. People want a piece of the action, but He reminds them that He has no home here. If you want a piece of His Kingdom, you have to give up this one. (And if you still doubt the value of such a choice – Jesus spoke to calm a storm.)
- Chapter 9 – WHAT DOES HIS KINGDOM LOOK LIKE? First and foremost – our sins are forgiven, completely. Religious formality has no authority over sin, Jesus does. We watch Jesus call the outcasts that religion often overlooks and bids them, ‘Follow Me.’ Jesus teaches us to rethink the motivation behind religious practices. Instead of becoming unclean by associating with the unclean, Jesus is Lord over all the corruption in life – He brings new life and restores the broken and unclean around Him. Everyone is hungry for the life that Jesus offers, except for the religious leaders.
- Chapter 10 – THE DISCIPLES ARE SENT TO WORK THE HARVEST. For a time, they are empowered to heal diseases, raise the dead, and cast out evil spirits. All must hear the Gospel message of the Kingdom and choose for themselves. We are to go boldly and unashamed.
- Chapter 11 – THERE’S TWO OPTIONS… BEING A CHILD OF GOD OR BEING CHILDISH IN YOUR REFUSAL. He is Lord; we are not. Insisting on your own way is not only childish, but incredibly dangerous. Being a child of God opens up your heart and mind to learn from God.
- Chapter 12 – GOD’S CHOSEN SERVANT – behavior that is not always modeled by religious leaders. 💔 We are all tempted by the real enemy – The Tempter. We are either under the influence of Satan, doubting God or we are God’s children, turning our backs on Satan’s influence in this world and aligning ourselves with the will of God as revealed in Scripture.
- Chapter 13 – Parables for this pre-harvest age and parables for the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Chapter 14 – The horrific death of John the Baptist and Jesus’ response – feeding 5000+ and walking on water.
- Chapter 15 – A Gentile woman reveals more faith than the Pharisees and the disciples.
- Chapter 16 – The Pharisees demand a sign – Jesus calls them wicked but promises the sign of Jonah. God reveals to Peter that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus shares the details of His suffering, death, and resurrection with His disciples then has to rebuke Peter as Satan when Peter objects to the plan!
- Chapter 17 – Jesus is transfigured; a few disciples get a glimpse. But it is beyond comprehension.
- Chapter 18 – Who’s the greatest in the kingdom? The humble child. We are given a few guidelines and warnings as to how we are to live this Christian life connected to other Christians.
- Chapter 19 – Can we divorce for any and every reason? No. But… but… stop and remember that the kingdom of heaven if for such as these… the children that come to Jesus… not the arrogant adults that justify their sinful, selfish behaviors that negatively affect others. Even the ‘good’ people… the ‘rich’ people… those that seem ‘naturally’ blessed in this world don’t have eternal life without submitting to Jesus.
- Chapter 20 – there is only one Master – God. We are all servants. Whether we’ve been Christians for decades or days – we’re on equal footing… servants to the same master. There is no hierarchy among the servants. Humble yourself and serve… there’s no grumbling or complaining that can be justified.
- Chapter 21 – Jesus begins His triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a king… on a donkey. Matthew weaves in quite an assortment of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus asserts His authority and demonstrates it on a fig tree! 😊 There are two parables, the Two Sons and the Tenants, which are a clear warning to the religious leadership in Jerusalem.
- Chapter 22 – Another sobering parable for all listeners, regarding the Wedding Banquet. No one gets to sneak in just because the original invitees refused to come. ‘Wedding clothes’ are required. We are reminded that we are made in God’s image with the coin used to pay Caesar’s taxes… let Caesar have his coin… let God have His children. 💞 We are reminded that the marriage relationship is strictly an earthly relationship – it has an end date… until death do we part. Our priority is to love God first – get that vertical relationship straight, so you can properly love others. (That is the great fruit He is looking for… love others right into heaven with you! Bring them to Jesus to get properly clothed for the wedding feast!) Time will end… Psalm 90:12 reminds us – So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
- Chapter 23 – Jesus warns against hypocrisy. Outward appearances of righteousness won’t get you into the kingdom, even if you were blessed with a gift of sharing God’s Word.
- Chapter 24 – We are all servants of a master. We are given the dignity to choose which master to serve. Time is running out for us to make the choice.
- Chapter 25 – Not all will be saved – not even all the church-attenders – only those who are ready and remain vigilant will go with the bridegroom when He returns. All will be judged and separated on that last day. All are given different resources in this life to honor God. The amount doesn’t matter.
- Chapter 26 – Jesus knew what was before Him and He walked faithfully to endure the betrayal and denial of friends. Jesus beautifully commends the woman who anoints Him. He endured the false accusations and harsh treatment from those that opposed Him in a mock trial.
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