The picture grows darker as we enter this chapter. Those who should have led the people in the right way are leading them to perform the most wicked act this world has ever seen. The Jewish leaders had already delivered Jesus to the Roman authorities, and Judas realized that this time Jesus was not going to escape, so he returned the 30 pieces of silver, saying that he had betrayed innocent blood. This testimony did not bother the chief priests and elders in the least, for their hearts were hardened and determined to get rid of Jesus. However, being under Roman authority, they were not allowed to put a man to death, so they delivered him to Pilate to crucify Him, as the Lord said they would (John 12:32-3332And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33This he said, signifying what death he should die. (John 12:32‑33)).
Do you think God will ever forget what man did to His beloved Son? Pilate tried to excuse himself by taking water, washing his hands and saying, “I am innocent.” Was he? No! Neither are people today innocent, but they can have their sins washed away in the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)!
God allowed man to do this awful deed because His love was greater than man’s hatred, and He wanted to be “a just God and a Savior,” saying, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:21-2221Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:21‑22)).
At the ninth hour, after three hours of total darkness, the Lord cried out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Do you know the answer to that question? I do. It was for me that He was forsaken, for He paid the penalty I deserved. My sins were laid on Him and He suffered in my place on the cross. It was for you too, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.
There were some there that day who did not go along with the crowd. A rich man named Joseph was a disciple who loved the Lord and wanted to do what he could for Him. We are living in the twenty-first century. Is there something we can do for the Lord?
1. Judas told the chief priests and elders that he had sinned and that the Lord Jesus was __________. Matthew 27:___
2. Although the chief priests and elders accused Jesus of many things, what did Pilate know was the real reason why they had delivered Jesus to him? __________ Matthew 27:___
3. In Psalm 51:77Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7) David asked God to “wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” In our chapter, who took water and washed his hands? __________ Matthew 27:___
4. What did the Lord Jesus say at the ninth hour that was so important that it is recorded in two different languages? __________ Matthew 27:___
5. The Lord Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:2424And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)). What is the name of a rich man who was Jesus’ disciple? __________ Matthew 27:___