Matthew 27

Jesus' trial in Matthew's gospel takes place in one venue. He is not paraded off to Herod and back as in the other gospel accounts. Pilate is the Governor of Jerusalem and he has the power to order a death sentence for Jesus, and this is what the religious leaders desire.

Matthew's gospel says that when Judas realizes that Jesus is condemned he repents. Our church history has damned Judas almost without exception. I wonder as I read the text if Judas repentance was any different than King David's or Moses repentance. I wonder if Judas might have been forgiven just like you and me.

While Jesus stands before Pilate he remains silent before all of the charges. Pilate's wife sends word to him to have nothing to do with punishing this innocent man, because she had spent the night in torment over this situation. Pilate tries to turn the crowds, but ultimately Pilate is a politician and gives in to the will of the masses. And so Jesus is sentenced to crucifixion.

The passion narrative is merciful in its brevity when compared to John's gospel. It is hard for me not to add the other things I know of the story to this reading. As they make their way to Golgotha the cumulative effects of the beatings he has endured weaken Jesus to the point that a man in the crowd - Simon of Cyrene - is compelled to carry the cross for Jesus.

Once on Golgotha the crucify our Lord. Jesus cries out only two times in this narrative - the first time he says, "And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 NRSV. This may be Jesus quoting Psalm 22 and calling the onlookers attention to that prophetic text, and it may be the sorrow of separation from God that Jesus endured for us. The second time Jesus cries out is not quoted here, but it comes at the moment of his death.

The events that transpire immediately after Jesus death are remarkable to say the least. "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many." Matthew 27:51-53 NRSV. The curtain in the Temple separating the Holy of Holies is torn in half. This may symbolize for us the new covenant and the invitation we will all receive through Christ to come boldly before the throne of grace. A tremendous earthquake shakes the earth and tombs are opened and after the resurrection of Jesus, saints enter the city and appear to many. I can not imagine the impact this must have had on the people!

The faithful women that had followed Jesus and supported him even at the cross and did not run off are mentioned here, "Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee." Matthew 27:55-56 NRSV. Joseph of Arimathea asks for permission to bury Jesus in a tomb he had prepared for himself, and he is given the body which he wraps in a linen shroud and lays to rest in the borrowed tomb. The legends and stories about Joseph of Arimethea are legion, all four gospels record his bravery.

The Chief Priest and Pharisees worry now that Jesus is dead that his disciples may raid the tomb and steal the body so they press Pilate to secure the tomb. Pilate sends a legion of soldiers to seal the tomb and guard it.

I find even this brief reading of my saviors passion exhausting and emotionally draining. Thank-you, Lord for the gifts given, for the love on display at the cross.