THE BETRAYER'S REMORSE AND SUICIDE Matthew 27:1-10 It was the very early morning when Jesus was led off to Pilate, for he was on the cross by nine. Judas apparently watched the scene from afar. It may be that he was stricken with horror, when our Lord did not exert His mighty power in self-deliver... [ Continue Reading ]
BARABBAS OR CHRIST? Matthew 27:11-21 The vacillation of Pilate made him a criminal. Weakness becomes sin. At first he evidently meant to release Jesus, but instead of saying so outright, he strove to bring about His release by indirect means and without committing himself. First, he sent Him to H... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STAIN WATER COULD NOT WASH AWAY Matthew 27:22-31 No judge ought to have asked the crowd what he should do. But every man has to do with Christ. He is ever standing before the bar of conscience, and each of us must accept or condemn, do homage or crucify. If we do not pronounce _for Him_, we pr... [ Continue Reading ]
“WHERE THEY CRUCIFIED HIM” Matthew 27:32-44 He will not drink what would dull His keen sense of the momentous issues of the Cross. Those taunts were true. None who save themselves can save others. The cry of forsakenness, the midday midnight, the yielded spirit, the rent veil, the opened tombs, th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROKEN HEART AND THE RENT VEIL Matthew 27:45-56 With hushed hearts we stand in the presence of “that sight.” It is the tragedy of time; the one supreme act of self-surrender; the unique unapproachable sacrifice and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. It is here that myriads of sin-si... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLOSED AND GUARDED TOMB Matthew 27:57-66 _Fear_ not to entrust yourself to God in death. If you yield up your spirit and commend it to the Father's hands, He will provide for it and for your body also. He has His Josephs everywhere. He will provide loving hands for the body, which was the shri... [ Continue Reading ]