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JESUS WAS CONDEMNED IN OUR PLACES

Matthew 26:57-27:26
Key Verse: 26:64

“‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

1. Read 26:57-68. Where was Jesus taken and why did Peter follow him at a distance? (57-58) What was Jesus accused of, and why did he remain silent? (59-63a) What charge under oath did Jesus finally answer and why? (64) What happened as a result? (65-68)

2. Read verses 69-75. How did Peter disown Jesus three times, and why? (69-74) What did Peter remember and do? (75) Why did he weep bitterly?

3. Read 27:1-10. What plans did the religious leaders make, and why did they send Jesus to Pilate? (1-2; John 18:31-32)? What did Judas do and why? (3-5) How was Scripture fulfilled? (6-10)

4. Read verses 11-19. What question did Jesus answer and at what risk did Jesus clearly identify himself? To what did he give no replies, and why? (Isaiah 53:7) How and why did Pilate try to release Jesus? How did his wife advise him? (19)

5. Read verses 20-25. How did the chief priests foil Pilate’s plan? How did the crowd respond to Pilate’s first question? (21) What was Pilate’s second question? (22a) How did the crowd answer? How did Pilate assert his innocence and try to avoid responsibility? What did the crowd say? (25) Think about making decisions and taking responsibility.

6. Read verse 26. Who was then released instead of Jesus? What kind of sinner was Barabbas? Think about Jesus, who was condemned and handed over to be crucified instead of sinners like Barabbas and us.

Attachment:

• Matthew 26(57)-27(26).que.docx

Message

JESUS WAS CONDEMNED IN OUR PLACES

(Matthew 26:57-27:26)

“‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” (26:64)

In the previous passage, we learned Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane. Jesus prayed with fervent cries and tears to submit himself to the Father’s will. Finally, he was fully ready to drink the cup of suffering and death on the Cross. In doing so, he also teaches us how to depend on God and obey God’s will through prayer. In today’s passage, Jesus is tried before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council and Pilate, the Roman governor. In the courts, most defendants try to do their best to defend themselves, even by hiring the best lawyers. Jesus, however, is most silent, and he does not defend himself. Rather, he affirms his identity that would lead him to death. May God help us to learn about the meaning of Jesus’ trial in today’s passage!

I.               Jesus tried before the Sanhedrin (26:57-75)

 

Look at 26:57, “Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.” Jesus was taken to Caiphas the high priest, with the Jewish teachers and elders assembled there. But Peter followed secretly at a distance and sat down to see what would happen. The whole Jewish Sanhedrin was looking for false evidence, anything against Jesus to put him to death. The trail reveals lawlessness and wickedness of the religious leaders. The verdict had already been decided. They would condemn Jesus to death. Many false witnesses came forward, surely from among those most hostile to Jesus. But they did not find any. Finally, two declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” That was a misquote of Jesus. Jesus said in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” and Jesus meant his own body.

At this accusation, the high priest stood up and said, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. Jesus knew the charges were wrong and not worth debating over. Most of all, he did not want to try to save himself in obedience to God’s will. Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Finally, the high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (63b)

Jesus only needed to say, “No,” to save himself. However, this time Jesus did not remain silent. What did Jesus say? Look at verse 64. “‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Here, “You have said so,” is translated in the New King James version as, “It is as you said.” Most commentators including John Calvin and Matthew Henry explained that Jesus affirmed that he is the Messiah and the Son of God. In Mark 14:62, regarding the same question, Jesus’s answer is recorded, “I am…” John Calvin explains why Jesus answered in this way, “You have said so.” For Jesus indirectly pointed out that his opponents made false accusations against him based on their own concept of the Messiah or King of the Jews.

Jesus seldom expressed publicly that he is the Messiah. This time, however, he was not silent, but declared that he is the Messiah whatever the outcome would be. All martyrs after him also testified to Jesus’ Messiahship and Sonship at the cost of their lives. Jesus encourages all his followers to confess that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God, whatever risks we pass it. When Jesus affirmed his identity, the religious leaders most likely gave him a sarcastic, contemptuous sneer because of Jesus’ humble appearance. Jesus said, “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”   

Even though he came as a humble man and became nothing in his first coming, Jesus testified his glorification after his suffering and death and his Second Coming based on the two most prominent messianic prophecies of Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus boldly proclaimed his power and glory as the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus declared his final victory in the most adverse situation. Jesus’ statement of his deity was clearly understood by the high priest. The high priest immediately tore his clothes and declared that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. He said that there was no further need of witnesses. The people had only two choices. One was to acknowledge that Jesus spoke the truth, and all fall and worship him as the Messiah. The other was to reject him as a blasphemer and put him to death. They chose the latter.  

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (26:67-68) The spitting in one’s face is an expression of the greatest contempt and indignation. Jesus submitted to it. In addition to the shame, they added pain on Jesus by striking him with their fists. They also made fun of him, by challenging him to tell who struck him. Jesus took all the shame, pain, and humiliation.  

Look at verse 69. “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said.” Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, hiding himself in the crowd around a fire. But the devil found him and attacked him through a servant girl. When the girl said he was one of Jesus’ companions, Peter denied it. He moved to another place, but another servant girl found him. Peter denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a while those standing there went up to him and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives away.” Then Peter began to call down curses on himself and swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. (74)

Look at verse 75. “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Peter realized what a terrible and weak sinner he was. He also realized how proud and stubborn he was. He broke down and cried. They were tears of real repentance. Now Peter realized that Jesus knew all about him and had endured his weaknesses with his unconditional love for him. Now he became humble and could submit to God. His sincere repentance made him Apostle Peter. We can learn that in the spiritual battle, those who fail to pray are sure to fail. But that is the time to remember Jesus’ word and his love and repent with tears and turn our hearts to God. We may fail from time to time. However, if we remember Jesus’ words and his love and take them to heart, there is hope for us too.     

II.            Jesus tried before Pilate (27:1-26)

Look at 27:1-2, “Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.” It was early in the morning on Friday of the passion week. The Sanhedrin had been deprived by the Roman government of the right to carry out capital punishment, except in the case of a foreigner who invaded the sacred limits of the temple. So Jesus had to be handed over to Pilate for execution.

Then Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned to death. He was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood.” But how did the religious leaders reply? They said, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (5) Though Judas used to be one of the Twelve, he followed his own agenda rather than Jesus. He regretted his wrongdoing, but there was no personal will to turn back to God; Consequently, there was no cure or recovery and change. Out of self-pity, self-condemnation, and despair, he then simply gave up on life.

The chief priests picked up the money and didn’t put it into the temple treasury to keep their purity law. They valued petty regulations regarding ritual purity more than their responsibility to human life. They decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. (7) Matthew relates this event with the prophecies of Jeremiah and Zechariah. Matthew testifies what was spoken in Scriptures was fulfilled. God is in control. Although we human beings fail, God never fails to fulfill his will despite sinners’ evil schemes.

Look at verse 11a. “Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’” Pontius Pilate was the 5^th Roman governor over Judea under the Emperor Tiberius. It is said that he was not liked by the Jews because he deliberately did what violated their law and provoked them, killing people. (Luke 13:1) Pilate’s concern was whether Jesus was claiming himself as a political king, which would be considered a capital crime. Jesus replied, “You have said so.” Matthew Henry interpreted Jesus' answer like this: “It is as you said. Although not as you meant. I am a king, but not such a king as you suspect me to be.” As John’s Gospel recorded, Jesus was saying that he is the King of the Jews, but not a worldly king that Pilate feared. (John 18:36-37) Jesus was no threat to Roman rule. Pilate realized that and sought to release Jesus.

            Then the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the chief priests and the elders. When people blame us for what we haven’t done, we immediately enter a defensive mode and want to lash out at the false accuser. But Jesus said nothing. In Pilate’s career, all accused people did their best to defend themselves. But Jesus was silent. By Roman law, a defendant who didn’t defend themselves was regarded as guilty. Still, Pilate was convinced that the charges against Jesus were not objective.

            Yet, Pilate didn’t release Jesus because he feared people. Instead, he resorted to the governor’s custom to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Sitting on the judge’s seat, Pilate left the decision up to the crowd. He expected that the public would want Jesus released due to his popularity. The crowd, however, was not concerned about justice or truth. Rather, they were ignorant and swayed by the religious leaders and asked to release Barabbas, a well-known prisoner with an insurrection and murder. Then Pilate asked about Jesus, “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” This is the question that every human being must answer. One’s decision about Jesus will determine their eternal destiny.

The crowd all shouted, “Crucify him!” (23) When Pilate saw that a riot was about to start, he gave in to the crowd despite his godly wife’s warning. He could have postponed the trial, but he went on to maintain his political life. Pilate washed his hands and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility.” (24) But he is guilty of his compromise and injustice. He has gone down in history as the man who condemned Jesus. Then, all the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children.” (25)

Their claim called for the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Sadly, their words have been used to justify the persecution of the Jews. In 1948, when the reestablishment of Jewish nation was on the agenda of the United Nations, the representatives of the Arab world opposed it, quoting verse 25.

Look at verse 26. “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.” Jesus was condemned to be crucified. Jesus took the place of Barabbas. He had to die on the cross in the place of a terrible sinner.

In the trials of Jesus in today’s passage, we can see various kinds of people and their decisions and choices regarding Jesus. They said that they had no responsibility for their decisions. Jewish and Roman leaders alike said, “It is your responsibility, not mine.” All of them wanted to throw off the responsibility against their own conscience. Peter said that he had no relationship with Jesus. Judas threw the money of responsibility of betrayal to the religious leaders in the temple. The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” but they thought that they were innocent. However, we can see that nobody was free from the responsibility for Jesus’ death.

Many people may think that “I’m innocent for Jesus’ crucifixion.” But we can see the same sins of religious leaders, pride, hatred, jealousy and hypocrisy in our own lives. We can find the same sins of the crowds, spiritual ignorance and self-interest in our own lives. We can notice the same sins of Pilate, compromise, fear and injustice in our own lives. We often confess that we love Jesus, but we often deny Jesus by choosing sins. We often think that it is not my responsibility to be fallen but others’ responsibility or environmental issues. After all, however, we are like the people in this passage, who had gone astray and turned to their own way. We are all responsible for Jesus’ condemnation. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one…” (Romans 3:10)

On the other hand, during the trials, Jesus was silent. Rather, he chose to be condemned by saying the truth that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the king of the Jews. Jesus chose to submit himself to the unjust conviction of sinners. Why? It was to take all the responsibility of our sins upon himself for our sake and to save us. In order for us to be freed from eternal condemnation, shame, torture, and humiliation, the Son of God made the decision to stand bound before the unjust trials and accept condemnation.

Therefore, if we accept that Jesus was condemned in our places and believe God's mercy and grace that we received from Christ's trials, Romans 8:1-2 say, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Through Jesus’ condemnation, we are declared righteous, and we can stand before God boldly and be able to freely approach God’s throne without shame and guilt. We can call God Abba Father. (Romans 8:15)  

Thank and praise Jesus, who took all our responsibility for the penalty of our sins and was sentenced to death to save us in our place! Just as Peter repented of his sins by remembering Jesus’ words and his love, let’s draw near to God in our daily repentance and faith in Jesus. While walking with Jesus every moment, let’s confess that Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God and our King whatever risks we may receive. Let’s also stand on Jesus’ side firmly and make the right decisions to please God for eternity and for the sake of God’s glory! Amen!

Attachment:

• Matthew 26(27)-27(26).mg.2023.docx