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Study No.20 : The death of Judas  : Mt 27:1-10

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who decided what and did what? v.1,2

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

2. How did Judas respond to all this? v.3,4a

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."

3. What was the response of the leaders? v.4b

"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."

4. So what did Judas do? v.5

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

5. What problem did this present the leaders, so what did they do? v.6,7

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners

6. How did Matthew view this? v.9,10

Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel , 10 and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."

 

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Judas was filled with remorse?

2. What do his words say about Jesus?

3. How is all of this viewed?

C. Comment:

     Now Matthew picks up on the second of the disciples to have failed Jesus. He's just spoken about Peter and now he covers Judas. There are distinct differences between these two men: Judas did what he did wilfully, Peter did it against his will (at least stated)/ Both men felt anguish at what they had done but one showed the depth he had gone to by taking his own life. It is sometimes said that for a person to take their own life they have to be under the total oppression of the enemy. Luke (Lk 22:3) tells us that Satan entered Judas. Somehow Judas had allowed himself to become totally vulnerable to the enemy who Jesus called a murderer (Jn 8:44 ), and the outcome is his death.

     The religious rulers are completely unsympathetic and won't let Judas return the blood money, so before he kills himself he hands it in at the temple. This presents a problem to the legalistic rulers but expediency overcomes and they make use of it. The field becomes a testimony and reminder of what Judas did and what happened to him.

     The story of Judas is quite horrific, that one so close to Jesus, a member of the Twelve, could be so deceived and become so vulnerable to the enemy. It must come as a warning to each one of us - beware lest you feel so secure that you open the door to pride and the enemy.

 

D. Application:

1. Enemy hold over a person only comes about gradually. Be alert.

2. Satan seeks to destroy us. He takes no captives. Remember that.

   

Study No.21 : Before Pilate (1)  : Mt 27:11-18

A. Find Out:

      

1. Where was Jesus and who asked what? v.11a

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

2. What was Jesus' response? v.11b

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

3. What did Jesus say when the religious leaders accused him? v.12,14a

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge-

4. What did Pilate feel about this? v.13,14b

Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?"

to the great amazement of the governor.

5. What was a usual custom at that time? v.15

Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.

6. So what happened? v.16,17

At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

 

B. Think:

1. What was Jesus willing to acknowledge to whom?

2. Yet who was he not willing to acknowledge?

3. Why do you think this might have been?

C. Comment:

     Now Matthew returns to what had been happening to Jesus. We had read previously (v.1) that he had been taken to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate simply asks him is he the king of the Jews and Jesus answers in the affirmative. Yet when the religious leaders accuse him falsely, he says nothing .

     So why is Jesus willing to acknowledge who he is to Pilate yet refuse to answer the accusations thrown at him by the religious leaders? The answer must be that it is because he only deals in truth. Pilate simply asked for the truth - and got it. The religious leaders came peddling untruth and so he ignored them.

      Jesus trusted himself to his Father in heaven ,not to rulers on earth. He knows what the outcome will be and knows that he has to die, so there is little point in disputing over their lies; it will only delay the inevitable. If Pilate can't (or won't) see the truth when it is staring him the face, well, the inevitable will happen! God could have stepped in here and turned Pilate's thinking and had Jesus freed, but instead He lets the sinful choices of mankind stand free, to do their worst. We all of us stand condemned by these events , they simply reflect the general sinfulness of mankind. Before we knew Jesus as Saviour, we'd have been the same!

 

D. Application:

1. Don't be kidded and think you're not a sinner! You are!

2. Rejoice that God still loves you though and has freed you.

   

   

Study No.22 : Before Pilate (2)  : Mt 27:19-26

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who sent what message to Pilate? v.19

While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

2. Yet what did the leaders persuade Pilate to do? v.20a,21

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.

"Barabbas," they answered.

3. What further did they demand? v.20b,22

and to have Jesus executed.

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

4. What did Pilate ask and with what reply? v.23

"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

5. So what did Pilate do and why? v.24

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

6. What was the response from the people? v.25

All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

7. So what did Pilate do? v.26

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

 

B. Think:

1. What warning was Pilate given?

2. What Power AND responsibility did Pilate have as Governor?

3. Were his actions in v.24 legitimate therefore?

C. Comment:

     There are some awful aspects to this passage today.

     First, there is the fact that Pilate received a warning via his wife and refused to heed it.

    Second, it is the Jewish LEADERS who force the issue of Christ's death, men who SHOULD be examples of those who are concerned with justice. Throughout the Old Testament the prophets warned against injustice and yet these leaders are the very bringers of injustice.

     Third, there is Pilate apparently absolving himself of any responsibility of this crime. He clearly sees that there is nothing against Jesus that warrants death, yet he goes ahead and gives permission for the execution to be carried out, and it will be carried out by the Roman soldiers because the Jews under Rome had no right to kill anyone. Pilate has the responsibility for maintaining both justice and order. So as to bring order he disposes of justice. He and he alone had the power to order an execution and he and he alone was responsible ultimately for Jesus' death. No amount of pantomiming will absolve him of that. He is the power and authority in Jerusalem.

   Fourth, there is the awful invoking of a curse upon themselves by the people. No wonder in AD70 Jerusalem was destroyed.

 

D. Application:

1. Sin brings self-justification, but it is still sin!

2. Sin will be punished and no words will escape that.

     

   

Study No.23 : Soldiers Mock Jesus  : Mt 27:27-31

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who gathered around Jesus, where? v.27

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.

2. How did they dress him? v.28

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,

3. What did they put on his head and in his hand? v.29a,b

and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand

4. What then did they do? v.29c

and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.

5. What did they follow this by doing? v.30

They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

6. What did they finally do? v.31

After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

 

B. Think:

1. What do you think the soldiers were trying to prove about themselves?

2. What do you think they were trying to prove with Jesus?

3. What was the ultimate purpose of what they were doing/

C. Comment:

     Tough men in uniform, when they're together have a tendency to prove what a tough bunch they are. Jesus has been passed into their hands from the hands of the rulers. Now he is theirs. Humiliation and violence is the name of the game. Tough men - when they're with other tough men - like to be violent, like to show off, like to humiliate others.

Yes, humiliation is the ultimate purpose of all this. When you are utterly in the hands of others who humiliate you, there is an awful sense of helplessness, and that was the experience the Son of God went through here, made to feel utterly helpless at the hands of evil men.

    First of all they took his clothes. Public nakedness is utterly humiliating. Then they dressed him up. More humiliation. Then they put the harsh long thorns on his head so the blood would have run. Pain. Then they mock him. Then they spat on him. Utter helplessness and revulsion. Then they struck him violently about the head again and again. Violent pain and total disorientation. By now any man is cowed and utterly miserable (understatement!). There would be no resistance. Now he can be led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isa 53:7). He is theirs to do with, just as they will. This is what Jesus went through for us.

 

D. Application:

1. Weep for what they did to Jesus.

2. Sense the awfulness of this and feel his pain.

  

   

Study No.24 : Crucifixion  : Mt 27:32-40

 

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who carried Jesus' cross? v.32

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene , named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

2. What was offered to Jesus to drink? v.34

they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

3. What did they do with Jesus' clothing? v.35

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

4. What sign was above his head? v.37

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

5. Who were also being crucified? v.38

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left

6. What did the passers-by challenge? v.39,40

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

 

B. Think:

1. Why do you think another carried Jesus' cross?

2. What stands out to you about this passage?

C. Comment:

     If this passage was part of a modern novel we would probably be given every gory and painful detail, but that simply shows how insensitive we have become as a people. This was a real event involving the only perfect being who has walked upon the earth. This is an unjust, inhumane act of absolute cruelty. Death by crucifixion was considered to be one of the most horrendous and painful deaths possible. It was absolute torture.

     The Gospel writer are unanimous in the way they report this event - briefly! There is nothing to glory in here, this is a matter of shame for the human race. Note the bare facts and pass by quickly. Jesus, presumably because he is exhausted by the treatment he's already received, has his cross carried for him, although John tells us Jesus started carrying it. He's offered a drink that is too revolting to drink after the crude Roman soldiers had doctored it. He is nailed to the cross and hangs there in anguish until he dies. The solders look on and the crowds jeer. As if in derision the title king of the Jews is nailed above him, an insult by the Romans against the Jews.

 

D. Application:

1. When we read the account of Jesus' death on the cross are we moved by

     it or have we too become desensitised by the days in which we live?

2. Understand that here is the glorious Son of God from the glory in heaven

     taking the sin of the world on himself. Weep and be glad.

  

Study No.25 : Insults & Jeers : Mt 27:41-44 / Psa 22:12-21

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who also mocked Jesus? v.41

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.

2. What descriptions do they give of Jesus in mockery? v.42,43

He's the King of Israel !   he said, `I am the Son of God.' "

3. What did they tell him to do to prove what? v.42,43

He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him

4. Who also insulted him? v.44

In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

5. What did the prophetic psalm writer feel? v.14,17

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. ... I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.

6. What had prophetically happened to him? v.16,18

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

 

B. Think:

1. Who, from v.39 to 44 had derided Jesus on the Cross?

2. How does Psa 22:12-21 seem to refer to this time?

3. What insight does it thus give of how Jesus must have felt?

C. Comment:

     Psalm 22 has this strange passage in it that can only be explained by seeing it as the prophetic cry of the Son of God from the Cross. Here is the Almighty Son of God who could call thousands and thousands of angels to his help if he wished (26:53), yet he hangs in silence and endures the humiliation. When we are being unfairly and unjustly treated we want to cry out and defend us. When people insult us we want to reply in like kind. When all of that happens, this terrible picture, of Jesus hanging silently in absolute agony and in anguish of soul, acts as an example and a challenge to us.

    Son of God he is, but also very human. In his body he must almost be screaming in agony, in his mind is the greatest battle of all history. The enemy would seek to play upon his mind in its anguish to get him to revile those who were doing these terrible things to him. THIS is the battle of all time! Will the Son of God remain perfect and sinless, even in this situation. The pressure is upon him. Read the Psalm 22 verses again out loud if you doubt that. The people mock him, the religious leaders mock him, the thieves mock him, and his disciples have deserted him. He's alone and he's failed - at least that is what the enemy would be saying. But now is THE crisis point of all history.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus took it all without a wrong word. Can we?

2. Jesus took it all to be the sinless sin-offering for you and me.

    

   

Study No.26 : The End! : Mt 27:45-54

A. Find Out:

      

1. What happened for three hours? v.45

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

2. What did Jesus cry out? v.46

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, C lama sabachthani?" --which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

3. What was the response of the watchers? v.47-49

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

4. What did Jesus then do? v.50

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

5. What then happened? v.51-53

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

6. With what result? v.54

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

 

B. Think:

1. What supernatural events surrounded Jesus' death?

2. Why do you think he cried out as he did?

C. Comment:

     Events of enormous significance! In 2 Cor 5:21 Paul wrote: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us”. As Jesus hung on the cross it was as if all the sin of the world came on him. Imagine it being like a black cloud that covered him. Suddenly from the midst of that cloud he can no longer see or sense the Father; all he is aware of is the sin. It is as if the Father has gone. Nothing could have prepared him for the awfulness of this separation, which is why he cried out as he did. The Father was still there, but separated from His Son by your sin and my sin. How terrible! How wonderful!

     As Jesus dies and takes the sin punishment all of heaven shakes. The tremendous curtain in the temple that kept people from the innermost place of the temple was supernaturally torn in two and the way into the innermost place with God was made open. Such was the work of the Son of God on the Cross. But more! In the tombs in the surrounding area the life and power of God is released and the bodies of the believers were suddenly raised and seen. The death of Jesus releases resurrection power; death can no longer hold the saints!

     The effect is awesome. Those looking on are terrified at all that is happening. The conclusion is inescapable - this WAS the Son of God; nothing else can account for all this.

 

D. Application:

1. Jesus took ALL your sin in his body on the Cross. You are free!

2. The way to God has been opened for you. Go to Him.

    

   

Study No.27 : Buried : Mt 27:55-66

A. Find Out:

      

1. Who had been there watching? v.55

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.

2. Who came and did what? v.56-60

Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

3. Who watched nearby? v.61

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

4. Who went to Pilate and asked for what to be done? v.62-64

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, `After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."

5. How did he reply? v.65

"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."

6. So what happened? v.66

So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

 

B. Think:

1. What do you feel about the example of the women?

2. What do you feel about Joseph's actions?

3. What did the religious authorities fear?

C. Comment:

     The main player, Jesus, is now totally in the hands of others. He is dead. His body is taken down from the Cross and now there is the question of what should be done with it. Joseph from Arimathea asks for, and is given the body and he places it in his own tomb and then seals it. All the while the Marys are watching what is going on. They are the silent witnesses. They have seen the body transferred from the Cross to the grave. They know he is dead. They know the body is there in a sealed tomb. Of that there is no question.

     Meanwhile the religious authorities think of what Jesus has said beforehand and they decide to thwart any plans the disciples might have of claiming a resurrection, so they also go to Pilate and ask for a guard to be put on the tomb. This he agrees to. The tomb is now well and truly sealed and well and truly guarded. There is absolutely no question of the body being taken The resurrection of Jesus is based, first of all on the clear and unequivocal death and burial of Jesus. The Roman soldiers had made sure that the body was dead (their lives would have depended on it) and it is in the interests of the Jewish authorities to ensure that this body does not “rise”! Brook no silly suggestions that “the body was not dead!”

 

D. Application:

1. God ensured that the facts were quite clear. Jesus was dead.

2. The authorities made quite sure the body was dead. Now watch!

    

  

RECAP No.4  "Trial, Death & Burial"  Matthew 27

SUMMARY :

  

In this fourth group of 9 studies we have seen :

- Judas' remorse ending with him hanging himself

- Jesus being taken before Pilate, the governor

- Jesus refusing the answer the charges against him

- Pilate giving way to the crowd and condemning Jesus

- The soldiers mocking and beating Jesus

- Jesus being crucified between two thieves

- The crowd and religious leaders mocking him

- Darkness coming over the land, Jesus crying out and dying

- An earthquake and bodies being raised to life

- Joseph of Arimathea burying Jesus in his tomb

- a guard being set over the sealed tomb

 

COMMENT :

     It has happened. We have killed him. Falsely tried by the Jewish ruling council, screamed against by the crowd, given up by Pilate and killed by the Roman soldiers. The Son of God has been pushed out of his world in the most inhumane way possible. In this we see the awful sin of the world under a magnifying glass. Individuals sins and corporate sins. Purposeful sins and negligent sins. They are all the same and God uses them to present the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who was dying to take the sins of the world!

 

LESSONS?

1. God loves me!

2. God loves me!

3. God loves me!

4. God loves me!

5. God loves me!

 

PRAY :

     Thank God for the wonder of His love that allowed this t o happen to bring about your salvation.

 

PART 5 : "Resurrection!"

      In this short final Part we will see the most staggering event the world has known – Jesus walking back through death – resurrection!