Fall League Chapel 10/6/19

A Study of 4

In this chapter, 27 of the Gospel according to Matthew, we are gong to look at 4 people or people groups

the first is Judas, Jesus’ betrayer

the second are the chief priests and elders, Jesus deliverers to death

the third is the crowd, Jesus’ rejectors

the third is the crowd, Jesus’

the fourth is Pilate, Jesus’ condemner

Let’s read , here we will see Judas and the chief priests.

Matthew 27:3–10 ESV

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

What is happening here with Judas? He regrets his decision to betray Jesus. He feels bad because he’s sinned and Jesus even though He’s an innocent man is being condemned to death.

Jesus was always an innocent man, nothing has changed except that the Jews are going to have Jesus’ killed.

This is after the bogus trial where the religious establishment of the chief priests and the elders has agreed to deliver Jesus over to be killed by Rome.

So what is Judas attempt to fix his situation? And by his I mean Judas’. You see this isn’t about Jesus, it’s about Judas.

Return the 30 pieces of silver. Just so you know, 30 pieces of silver is not life changing money, not 30 pieces of gold,

Judas has rejected Jesus as Messiah, that’s why he agreed to betray Him. He just didn’t realize they were going to kill Him.

It’s not like Judas has now come to realize who Jesus truly is, the Messiah and Savior of the world. No, he just doesn’t like knowing he’ll be responsible for His death

So, when his plan of returning the money doesn’t work, what does he do? He kills himself

Judas is a narcissist, Jesus doesn’t measure up to the Messiah he wants so betray Him.

Judas sees He’s going to be killed and it makes him feel like crap, try to fix it.

When that doesn’t work, and the guilt and shame are too much, instead of facing the music, what true remorse looks like, instead of pleading Jesus’ case in front of Pilate, instead of begging for forgiveness, no you go and kill yourself.

Last point on Judas, even though he’s the betrayer of Jesus and he’s gone down in history as the one who betrayed Jesus, and no one names their little boys Judas, in spite of all that, Judas does pronounce Jesus an innocent man, not Messiah, but an innocent man.

Ok, now the religious leaders,

What is their response to Judas? They tell him no, and you go make it right with Jesus.

They also say something about the money, you remember what that was? “It is not lawful for us to put the money into the treasury, since it is blood money.”

Do you see what they’re saying? We used that money so we can kill someone, but we won’t sin by putting it in the treasury, what hypocrisy!!

So typical for religious people, to focus on areas of self-righteousness and ignore blatant sinfulness!!

They could care less about Jesus’ innocence, all they care about is doing what they believe to be honorable to God, all the while doing something that is so dishonorable.

Now we’ll take a look at Pontius Pilate and the crowd

Matthew 27:11–26 ESV

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Matthew 27:

Throughout all that I just read Pilate is present, he first questions Jesus and was amazed at how the false accusations of the chief priests and elders did nothing to Jesus.

The next is Pilates attempt to have the crowd of people let him off the hook. Sure it’s a custom, but Pilate uses this as an opportunity to not make a decision, to not take a stand.

You see Pilate is a coward with power. He’s afraid of the Jews and doesn’t want to upset them by flat our releasing Jesus.

He’s also afraid of Rome, if a riot ensues because he releases Jesus, he fears Rome will come and unseat him as Governor, maybe put him to death.

He knows the Jewish religious leaders motives are impure, that they are jealous of Jesus and don’t want to lose their power, but he does nothing about it.

Even his wife warns him and yet he wimps out.

But the crowd won’t make the decision he’s hoping, persuaded by the religious leaders, they ask for a murderer to be released instead of the Jesus, a taker of life to be let go instead the giver of life.

How sad, the long awaited Messiah in their presence and they fail to recognize Him.

But the same is true for Judas, for the religious leaders, and for Pilate.

So finally with Pilate, the crowd calls for murder themselves, for crucifixion of an innocent man, for the Son of Man,

I’ll read the last part again

Matthew 27:24–26 ESV

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Matthew 27:24-

When Pilate sees this isn’t working out the way he’d hoped, but rather the feared riot was about to break out, he does something interesting, what is it?

He washes his hands as a ceremonial gesture of his cleaning off Jesus blood and declares himself innocent.

Is this not the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever seen and heard.

I don’t care how well you wash your hands and what you declare, when you have the power to do what’s right and you don’t, you’re just as guilty as the rest.

History attests to this, the name Pontius Pilate is infamous. Another name you never hear little boys being named.

With great power comes great responsibility, Pilate doesn’t get this. Those in power are supposed to do what’s right, not cover their own butts.

To wrap this up, I have to be honest. I wonder how I would have fit into this story

If I had been a part of the 12, would I have turned out like Judas? So close to Jesus, but having a different picture of Messiah in my mind, who I have failed to place my faith in Him, could I have betrayed Him??

Or what if I were born a Jew back then and rising in their religious system would I have been like the religious leaders? So wrapped up in religious rules and jealous of someone stealing my people or my power, would I have been complicit in the murder of Jesus?

Or how about Pilate, if I were the Roman ruler of this area and this was going on in front of me, would the innocence of a Jew mattered much or maintaining my position and my power been what I cared most about??

I know I easily could have been a part of the crowd, just follow along, not make a decision for myself, not having the eyes to see and realize that the Messiah and Savior of the world is on trial for His life.

How about you guys, where do you see yourselves? I think we give ourselves too much credit, like we would’ve known and done the right thing. But we live on this side of the cross, on this side of the resurrection.

How do we act just like the characters we study even now, how do we reject Jesus, dishonor God, not do the right thing, go along with the crowd when it’s uncomfortable? How are we just like them? Now that’s convicting

Let me pray