By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph. D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
OUR SAVIOR
Matthew 27:27–31, 45–54
Mocked (27–31)
Handed over. Pontius Pilate examined Jesus, but the Good Shepherd said nothing to defend Himself. When Pilate heard about his wife’s dream, he determined not to condemn Jesus. Instead, he allowed the crowd to choose between a seditious criminal Barabbas and an obviously innocent rabbi named Jesus. They chose Barabbas and requested the crucifixion of Jesus, so Pilate handed Jesus over to be flogged and publicly executed.
Hailed. The soldiers mocked Jesus, treating Him more like a jester than a king. They gave Him a royal robe donated by Herod (Luke 23:11), a crown fashioned with thorns and a reed to signify a scepter in His right hand. They laughingly bowed before Him and cried, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Their empty acts of worship were intended to humiliate Jesus.
Humbled. They beat Him with His “scepter.” They tore open His brow with the thorns in His crown. They spat upon Him and then paraded Him through the streets to His own execution. They eventually fastened His hands and feet to a Roman cross.
Forsaken (45–49)
Darkness during the day. Jesus was crucified around midday yet the sky turned dark. From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covered the land.
Comfort on the cross. Jesus responded to this trial as He did so many trials before — meditating on Scripture. The first part of Psalm 22 is almost a blueprint of Jesus’ crucifixion: seemingly forsaken (v. 1), despised (vv. 6–8), surrounded yet alone (vv. 11–12), thirsty (v. 15), crucified (v. 16) and gambling for clothes (v. 18). The second half of the song, however, speaks of the ends of the earth turning to the Lord and His righteousness being declared in the future. Far from being a lament, Jesus found comfort by meditating on the psalm, as He later quoted Psalm 31:5.
Misunderstood by the mockers. Evidently, the crowd confused Jesus’ Aramic word for “My God” for the word for “Elijah.”
Purpose in the pain. Biblical Hebrew utilizes different words that are both translated as “why?” One term carries the idea of “from what” or “what caused this?” Another term means “for what?” In this quote from Psalm 22:1, Jesus asked the Father to reveal the purpose for His suffering.
Son of God (50–54)
Curtain torn. Josephus describes the veil as Babylonian in origin. Scholars disagree about the height and width of the veil, although all agree that it was massive. This curtain, which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, measured approximately four inches thick. The veil was torn from top to bottom during an earthquake that split rocks. This demonstrated that God was now accessible to humanity through the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Centurion touched. I can still hear the actor John Wayne’s 1965 cameo as a Roman centurion in “The Greatest Story Ever Told” as he said: “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” Long before I read the story in the Bible, I became familiar with this Roman soldier who recognized something special about Jesus. But was this saving faith he expressed? Was he the first Gentile Christian? Was he the centurion whose son Jesus healed?
We know the events were seismic in proportion and Jesus’ resurrection made dead men alive again.
The gospel of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is still the power of God to bring salvation to everyone who believes. Jesus still brings the dead to life!
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