Suffering (Matthew 27:22-38)
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Saturday in Jerusalem
Saturday in Jerusalem
The southeast corner of the Temple… from our discussion last week.
Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa, Latin for "sorrowful way" or "way of pain," is the traditional route in Jerusalem believed to have been taken by Jesus Christ from His condemnation to His crucifixion[1][2][3]. This path, not specifically mentioned in the Bible, is marked with fourteen "stations of the cross," commemorating various incidents along Christ's journey, though some of these are based on Catholic tradition rather than Scripture[2][3]. The route begins at Pilate's judgment seat (the Praetorium) and ends at Mount Calvary (Golgotha)[2][4]. While the exact historical path is uncertain due to the destruction of ancient Jerusalem streets by the Roman army[4], the current route was established in the 18th century, with all stations finalized in the 19th century[3]. The Via Dolorosa serves as a pilgrimage route, reminding Christians of Christ's suffering and the significance of His sacrifice for their salvation[2][5].
[1] Collins English Dictionary. (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2006).
[2] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2014–2021).
[3] Paul J. Achtemeier, Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature, Harper’s Bible Dictionary (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985), 1111.
[4] Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
[5] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).
The Via Dolorosa is marked out by 14 stations of the cross. No, they are not biblical, although some are. They have been used by pilgrims to remember the sufferings of Jesus on his way to Calvary/Golgotha.
The Text
The Text
22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”
25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”
26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Golgotha/Calvary
Golgotha/Calvary
Why both names? This name comes from the translation “Place of the Skull”
In Aramaic the place is Gulguta
Hebrew Golgotha
Greek Kranion
Latin Calvaria
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter, is one of Christianity's most sacred sites, traditionally believed to be the location of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection[1][2]. The church's history dates back to the 4th century when Emperor Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, ordered its construction after his mother Helena identified the site[3][4]. The current structure, built in 1149 by Crusaders, stands on the foundations of earlier churches that were destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries[1][3]. The church is shared by six different Christian denominations: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic (Franciscan), Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic, and Ethiopian Orthodox[1][5]. It contains numerous chapels and significant religious sites, including the supposed location of Jesus' tomb and the stone where his body was said to have been anointed for burial[2][5]. Some scholars note that the site's location in a former quarry outside the ancient city walls aligns with biblical descriptions of the crucifixion site[5]. However, there is debate among scholars about the authenticity of the tomb's location, with some suggesting alternative sites[2].
[1] Rick McCarthy and Susan McCarthy, Defining Moments: The Transformational Promises of Faith-Based Travel (New York, NY: Mount Tabor Media, 2022).
[2] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2014–2021).
[3] Paul Williams and Clive Anderson, Travel Through Israel: Land of Promise, Faith and Beauty, ed. Brian H. Edwards, Day One Travel Guide (Leominster: Day One, 2008), 86.
[4] Benjamin A. Foreman, “Locating Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial,” in Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels, ed. Barry J. Beitzel and Kristopher A. Lyle, Lexham Geographic Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 509.
[5] Paul J. Achtemeier, Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature, Harper’s Bible Dictionary (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985), 925–926.
Jesus is sentenced to be crucified
Jesus is sentenced to be crucified
This is after the trial which included first the Jewish High Court (the Sanhedrin) and then the Roman Officials for the sentence of crucifixion.
The trial of Jesus involved both Jewish and Roman authorities, combining two systems of justice that ultimately led to his death sentence[1][2][3].
..Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, which was considered a capital offense under Jewish law[1][2].
The Jewish portion of the trial reportedly had three phases: an appearance before Annas, an informal investigation by Caiaphas, and a condemnation by the Sanhedrin[1][2].
The trial was held at night, possibly to prevent Jesus' supporters from protesting his arrest[1][2].
Some scholars argue that the trial may not have been an official one, but rather a preliminary hearing to determine charges that could be forwarded to Pilate[5].
However, the Romans did not allow the Jews to carry out capital punishment for blasphemy, so the Jewish leaders had to convince a Roman judge that their demand was justified[1][2].
The charges against Jesus were ultimately politically motivated, with crucifixion being a Roman punishment for rebels and slaves[4]. Jesus was perceived as a seditious threat, claiming to be the king of the Jews[4].
The location of Jesus' trial is disputed, but it is suggested that Pilate may have occupied the former palace of Herod the Great[4].
[1] Thomas D. Lea, “Trial of Jesus,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand et al. (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1619.
[2] Thomas D. Lea, “Trial of Jesus,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1600.
[3] Craig A. Evans, “Trial of Jesus,” in The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Katharine Doob Sakenfeld (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2006–2009), 663.
[4] James B. Pritchard, HarperCollins Atlas of Bible History (HarperOne, 2023), 157.
[5] Randall S. Merrill, “Judicial Courts,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
Pilate tried to keep himself out of this mess - NOT because he is innocent, but because he is weak and wants to save his reputation
This is why Pilate would send Jesus to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
This is also why Pilate would try and have a prisoner swap. Presumably thinking that the people would prefer Jesus who had done nothing wrong over a condemned rebel. But, the people chose Barabbas, the rioter and rebel.
Even Pilate’s wife vowed for Jesus’ innocence and said that she was “warned in a dream...”
Matthew 27:19 “19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.””
However, the crowd kept pressuring Pilate for a sentence of Crucifixion.
This brings us to our text for today
This brings us to our text for today
Pilate asks, “What do you want me to do with Jesus?” And the people shouted for Crucifixion.
Pilate’s question is the most appropriate, and the question we must all ask… WHAT DO YOU DO WITH JESUS THE MESSIAH?
Pilate pressed again, he is innocent. Yet the crowd wouldn’t be pleased to release Jesus.
24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”
25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”
This is an interesting thing.
Yes, we see Pilate washing his hands, but this DOES NOT make him innocent. It shows his weakness. At times Pilate could be a bully and brazen and committed, but here, in the face of the crowd, for fear of a riot and the loss of his position and fear of those he would answer to. He is the classic narcissist - it is ALL ABOUT HIM!! It doesn’t matter what happens to others. It doesn’t matter what others say or think. So long as Pilate gets what HE WANTS/is ENTITLED TO, others will get trampled over, spat upon, beaten, flogged and crucified.
Yet, there is a LARGE truth of the Gospel in Pilate - NONE OF US ARE INNOCENT!
We can play games with logistics and “wash our hands of the death of Jesus” and say it is not our fault, but, the Gospel states NONE are innocent! We are ALL GUILTY in our own way for the crucifixion of Jesus as it was our SIN that placed him on that cross.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
And then there’s the religious leaders who stirred the crowd...
25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”
For CENTURIES, this passage has been used to say that the Jewish people were guilty of the crucifixion. That they invoked their children in the curse that would come for crucifying the messiah.
But, I believe that is a poor understanding of what happened. Yes, the leaders were so determined to see Jesus crucified that they stirred the crowd to be this mob. And the crowd shouted these words.
But, remember what we said about Pilate - none of us are innocent. That plays into this situation - but the flip side - ALL OF US ARE GUILTY!
Yet, in recognizing our guilt something beautiful can happen.
The crowd said...
25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”
25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”
Do you remember the covenant at Sinai? I am reminded of that scene in this text. At Sinai a covenant is confirmed - but it is confirmed in blood. The idea was that the people would covenant with God and this covenant would be good for them and their children, and their children after them.
7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” 8 Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”
I often ponder that scene and wonder if the people that day NEW exactly what they were saying when shouting for Jesus to be crucified. They were condemning a man and were thirsty for blood. Yet, it would be his blood that would confirm a New Covenant on them and their children if they so choose to accept it!
They invoked the covenant without realizing it.
But first, we must realize our LACK OF INNOCENCE and COMPLETE GUILT at the feet of Jesus!
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
We see that Jesus is who he said he is. The charges were King of the Jews
This is what was written on his charge plaque above the cross
He is enthroned with people on his Right and Left
This is interesting because earlier in Matthew there is the question from a mother of who will sit at Jesus’ right and left when he comes into his Kingdom.
Jesus said,
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
Here we see that those at his right and left when he is enthroned on the cross were the sinners. Luke will tell us that one of the criminals recognizes Jesus’ innocence and confesses Jesus before all. But, Jesus’ Kingdom and Jesus’ throne is one were sinners are welcome to come and receive mercy and forgiveness!!
So what do we do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
So what do we do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
There’s much that still could be said, I know. But, here are a few things that jump out to me...
Barabbas - There is a great transaction that takes place. Barabbas is freed and Jesus takes his place. The cross Jesus carried was most likely the cross Barabbas would carry. Jesus LITERALLY took Barabas’ place on the cross! And, here we see that Gospel that through the cross Jesus takes my place - Jesus takes OUR place
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Like Pilate and the Jewish mob, NONE of us our innocent and all are completely guiltly!
We can try and wash our hands of the death of Jesus. We can try to say the mob made me do it. But, none of us are innocent. All of us are guilty.
BUT, in our guilt there is hope that if we recognize our guilt Jesus blood, that is poured out for us, can cleanse us and confirm God’s New Covenant in us, that saves us and transforms us into being more and more like Christ.
4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
3. The Cross is a place of mercy and forgiveness for those who choose to accept it.
We are all criminals. We all deserve the cross. But Jesus the Righteous King has a free gift of forgiveness for those who seek him at the cross.
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
4. And MOST importantly. All of this was done, not by chance, or accident, or coincidence, but BY GOD’S PLAN at the WILLINGNESS of Christ. Christ WILLINGLY gave his life on the cross!! This was NOT an accident. IT was God’s plans and Christ’s willingness.
18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
All the suffering, humiliation, mockery, sham trial, was done WILLINGLY by CHRIST FOR OUR SAKE! To save us and redeem us from lives of sin and to transform us into a holy people!
Pilate’s question is our question… “What do YOU do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
COMMUNION
COMMUNION
As we prepare for communion let us read responsively #230
As we receive the Question before us is… What do WE DO with this Jesus.
May we respond to the word about Jesus by receiving these elements that remind us of Jesus. May we allow his blood to purify us, and transform us. May we allow him to call us from our lives of sin and following him in the way of righteousness and holiness.
