Todays scripture...

[TPK]

[Meridian_Mike]

Wonderful words Willy!

Thanks for sharing God's word.

[WillyCamaro]

You are most welcome gentlemen! I am glad you are along for the journey, with yours truly.

[WillyCamaro]

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight

[WillyCamaro]

The Lord is very patient with us rotten human beings. He doesn't have to, yet He loves us so much, that He does.


2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[WillyCamaro]

Sentenced to Death

Matthew 27:24–26 “Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified” (v. 26).

Ultimately, Pontius Pilate does not believe that Jesus wants to supplant the caesar and destroy the Roman Empire as an Israelite king. Several factors explain why he finds no fault in Jesus (Matt. 27:11–23). First, whether through outside sources or his own intuition, Pilate sees that Caiaphas and the other leaders seek Jesus’ death out of envy, not the truth (v. 18). Secondly, his wife has had a nightmare about the events transpiring (v. 19) and sees involvement in the death of Jesus as disastrous for Pilate. Finally, the response of Jesus Himself to His accusers strongly refutes their accusations. John’s gospel tells us that at one point in the trial our Savior assures Pilate that His kingdom is “not of this world” (18:36) and therefore not interested in the violent overthrow of the caesar. Coupled with this is Jesus’ appearance before Pilate bound and beaten, which likely convinces him that the Nazarene is no real threat to the Empire.

Jesus’ innocence, however, makes Pilate no less willing to give in to his fear of a riot and have Jesus crucified to prevent an uprising (Matt. 27:26). Ultimately, this compounds his guilt — to commit the great sin of executing the Lord of glory Pilate must unashamedly cast justice aside. Moreover, the gathered mob is not excused for demanding Christ’s death simply because they are following their leaders (v. 20). But if in this mob there are those who once hailed Jesus as David’s heir (21:1–11), why do they follow along? It is because they want a violent conqueror and their expectations cannot accept that this bound man is God’s Messiah. Barabbas is willing to overthrow Rome by any means necessary (Mark 15:7); thus, the people prefer him over the humble Jesus (Matt. 27:21).

Pilate futilely tries to shift blame to the crowd, and, tragically, the crowd’s acceptance of responsibility for Jesus’ death has been used over the centuries to justify anti-Semitism (v. 25). Many professing Christians have literally brought blood upon Jewish people, a gross misuse of the text given that Jesus and His disciples are Jewish and that the crowd is speaking for itself, not an entire ethnic group. In reality, all people are guilty of having Christ killed, for our sin made His death necessary in the first place (Rom. 3:21–26).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

A select group of corrupt religious leaders and unjust Roman officials are those who enacted the legal procedures that resulted in Jesus’ death. Yet in a sense, we all killed Jesus, because had we not sinned, there would have been no need of His death. It is sobering to realize that we put Jesus on that cross; still, He went there willingly so that we could be forgiven of our sin. How amazing is God’s marvelous grace!

For further study: Genesis 3:17–19

[WillyCamaro]

John 1:12-13
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

[Meridian_Mike]

Amen!

[WillyCamaro]

[WillyCamaro]

Mocked and Beaten

Matthew 27:27–31 “And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him” (v. 31).

Reformed theologians often describe Christ’s work in terms of His active and passive obedience. The active obedience of Christ is His doing the Father’s will, taking specific actions — teaching, miracle-working, obeying the Law — to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). The passive obedience of Christ encapsulates His submission to death. We cannot absolutely separate Christ’s active and passive obedience, for Jesus must actively set His mind on the Father’s plan if He is to endure the cross. Still, passive obedience is an appropriate description of Jesus’ nonviolent resistance to suffering (1 Peter 2:23).

This passive obedience includes Jesus’ arrest, trial, and scourging (Matt. 26:47–27:31). Jesus is scourged with a flagellum, a whip made of several leather straps embedded with bone and metal. Flogging is the first part of Roman crucifixion, and the number of lashes, though unknown to us, is limited only by the extent of the flogger’s sadism. Our Savior is an innocent victim, and the Father does not approve of Pilate’s sentence or the soldiers’ deeds in themselves. However, God is providentially using their sins to bring judgment upon David’s line for leading Israel astray (2 Sam. 7:1–17). In so doing, the Father also begins to condemn the sin of every repentant descendant of Adam (Rom. 5:12–21).

Christ’s passive obedience is also on display as He is mocked in the governor’s headquarters (Matt. 27:27–31). Jesus’ prediction in Matthew 20:17–19 comes true as the Roman soldiers (as many as six hundred if the whole legion is in town) dress Him up as the caesar and then make fun of Him, spitting in His face. Roman soldiers customarily make fun of those sentenced to death, but given the anti-Jewish sentiment that is part of Pilate’s rule, these bigoted men probably abuse Jesus with particular delight.

Our merciful Father pours on His Son the wrath we deserve in order to give us the blessings Jesus has merited. John Calvin writes, “Our filthiness deserves that God should hold it in abhorrence, and that all the angels should spit upon us; but Christ…to present us pure and unspotted in [the] presence of the Father, resolved to be spat upon, and to be dishonored by every kind of reproach.”

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

The Christian faith is derided in many circles, and many professing believers throughout history have been tempted to play down the offense of the gospel or work hard to show the world that Christians are not as “uncool” as they seem. But while we must take care not to offend others with rude demeanors, we must also not accommodate ourselves to the world’s values. If Christ was beaten and killed, can we not, by His Spirit, endure the mocking of the world?

For further study: Genesis 37:12–24

[Meridian_Mike]

WOW.... what a POWERFUL study of Jesus' obedience to the will of God.

Those words really hit home!

Thank you Lord Jesus for Your amazing sacrifice on my behalf.

[WillyCamaro]

Amen brother.

[WillyCamaro]

Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I live it every day... A hearty ole Amen Paul!

[WillyCamaro]

It hits home hard, but the TRUTH always does.

An Object of Derision

Matthew 27:35–44 “When they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there” (vv. 35–36).

Like the other three evangelists, Matthew does not describe the process of crucifixion in detail, probably because the practice is well-known to his first-century audience. No Roman punishment is more painful or degrading than to be crucified; therefore, Rome normally reserves the cross for non-citizens, crucifying those with full citizenship only when the caesar himself prescribes it. The Jews under Rome’s rule regard the cross as particularly abhorrent, and the rabbis later forbid its use in self-governing Jewish communities.

In Jesus’ case, however, the religious leaders are elated to see Him disgraced on the cross. He is crucified outside Jerusalem in deference to Jewish sensibilities (Heb. 13:12), on a major thoroughfare so as to warn others not to commit acts that merit crucifixion. People are usually hung on a cross naked, but Jesus might be allowed a loincloth due to the shame His people associate with nakedness. Either way, His clothing now belongs to the soldiers guarding Him, a custom observed with every crucified victim. Yet this time prophecy is also fulfilled as lots are cast for Christ’s clothing (Matt. 27:35; see Ps. 22:18). John Calvin appropriately comments, “God determined that His own Son should be stripped of his raiment, that we, clothed with his righteousness and with abundance of all good things, may appear with boldness in company with the angels.”

As Isaiah 53:9 predicts, our Lord is also crucified alongside the wicked, two robbers who are probably on their crosses for insurrection (Matt. 27:38). Although Luke 23:39–43 tells us one of these criminals later trusts in Jesus, both of them initially join the passersby and the religious authorities to mock and curse our Savior (Matt. 27:39–44). They claim that they will believe if He uses His power to come down from the cross (v. 42), but we know the Jewish leaders would only charge Jesus with sorcery or other devilish deeds (12:24).

Behind these taunts is the false assumption that the Messiah and Son of God must conquer Rome, not be killed by the Gentiles. They do not see that Jesus stays on the cross precisely because He is God’s Son. Love keeps Him there so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Many of Jesus’ contemporaries refused to accept the Messiah’s shame and curse on the cross, and many in the history of the church have done the same, denying the substitutionary nature of the atonement and the fact that God cursed our sin in Jesus. To show His great mercy and satisfy His justice, the Father condemned the sins of His people in His Son. Any attempt to make the cross merely a good example or an accident of history destroys the gospel of salvation.

For further study: Genesis 22:1–19

[WillyCamaro]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8

[WillyCamaro]

The Praise and Prophecy of Zechariah

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited to help and has redeemed his people,

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,

just as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times—

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all those who hate us,

to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath that he swore to Abraham our father,
to grant us,
that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
could serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness,
before him all our days.

And so you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the merciful compassion of our God
by which the dawn will visit to help us from on high,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to direct our feet into the way of peace.”

[TPK]

I appreciate your posts here Willy!

I'll be honest, I don't read em all but I normally read two or three per week. That's more of the good book than I have read in many years. Thank you! Have a nice Sunday my friend!

[WillyCamaro]

I appreciate your posts here Willy!

I'll be honest, I don't read em all but I normally read two or three per week. That's more of the good book than I have read in many years. Thank you! Have a nice Sunday my friend!

Thank you buddy, and that makes me most happy to hear brother! Glad my little thing here has been of help.

[WillyCamaro]

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

[Meridian_Mike]

Amen Brother!

[WillyCamaro]

Amen,

[Captain O]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8

Remain so. Go in prayer and holy supplication before the Lord.

[WillyCamaro]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8

Remain so. Go in prayer and holy supplication before the Lord.

whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

[WillyCamaro]

The Soldiers Recognize Jesus

Matthew 27:52–54 “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake…they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (v. 54).

Given the emphasis in Matthew’s gospel on how Jesus fulfills the old covenant (5:17; 12:15–21; 26:47–56), it is hard to miss the significance of the hour of His death. Our Savior dies at the ninth hour (27:45–50) — three o’clock p.m. — the same hour at which the daily sacrifices begin in the Jerusalem temple. By this we see that Christ fulfills all of the old covenant sacrifices. After His atonement, there is no need to offer up the blood of bulls and goats; sin has been dealt with and the temple rituals therefore pass away (Heb. 10:1–18).

The earthquake following the death of Jesus (Matt. 27:51), Matthew Henry writes, signifies “the mighty shock, indeed, the fatal blow now given to the devil’s kingdom.” God’s people can now, by His Spirit, defeat temptation, for sin can no longer enslave us (Heb. 2:14–15). Jesus came to destroy the Devil (1 John 3:8), vanquishing the evil one on the cross. In the new covenant era, Satan’s kingdom is crumbling and the nations are granted the obedience of faith (Rom. 1:1–6).

Today’s passage reports that the earthquake also opens several tombs, from which appear many resurrected saints after our Lord rises from the dead (vv. 52–53). We do not know their identities, but these holy ones clearly died before Jesus inaugurated the new covenant and are raised only after He is resurrected. By this we see that the only way believers, whether they live under the old covenant or the new, can find final salvation (resurrected life in a new heavens and earth, Rev. 20:1–6; 21) is through Christ’s death and resurrection. Scripture does not say whether the people of Matthew 27:52 die again or ascend to heaven. In any case, their resurrection is a sign that Jesus’ death has inaugurated the last days, for this raising to life is the signal event of judgment day (Dan. 12:1–2). The resurrection of others, John Calvin says, also makes evident that Jesus died and rose again not only for Himself, but also to restore life to His people.

Ironically, many Jewish leaders will not believe even after these signs (Matt. 27:62–66; 28:11–15). To the soldiers guarding Jesus, however, these supernatural events prove they have killed a divine man (27:54). This may not be saving faith, but it does reveal that their hearts are not so hard as to miss the obvious.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Because of the influence Greek philosophy has long had on Christian thought, we can never say too often that Scripture never teaches that we are complete persons without a body. Rather, we look forward to the resurrection of the body at the last day and our final state of life forever, body and spirit, in the presence of God. Whatever physical defects and problems we have now, they will all be gone in the new heavens and earth. Let us rejoice in that today.

For further study: 2 Kings 4:8–37

[WillyCamaro]

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20