Tag: Matthew 27:22-26
“What shall I do with Jesus?”
Scripture reading for May 12th: Matthew 27, Psalm 95, Proverbs 2
Matthew 27: 22-26 “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 plot 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.”
Each person must face the problem of what to do with Jesus. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor in charge of Jesus’ trial and fate that day. He found nothing Jesus had done or said that warranted death by crucifixion. His wife had warned him earlier to have nothing to do with Him. It was his custom to free one of the condemned prisoners to please the crowd that had gathered. He sought to free Jesus, the Christ, thinking that the crowd might be pleased. When asking them if they wanted Jesus to be free, they responded with “Let Him be crucified.” They even declared that His blood would be charged to them and their children! Each person faces this question at some time in their life here on earth. What will you do with Jesus the Christ? Will you demand His crucifixion and death? Or will you ask for mercy for being responsible for His willing sacrifice of body and blood to free you from your own sins?
Psalm 95:8-9 “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put Me to the test and put Me to the proof, though they had seen My work.”
Prayer: Holy Father, I have chosen to trust Jesus Christ, Your Son, as my Savior and Lord. He has freed me from my own evil tendencies and the penalty of sin. My guilty blood would have brought me eternal death and separation from God. Now His sinless blood has cleansed me from sin’s penalty and power and I am free! Praise to the Father, praise to the Son, praise to the Holy Spirit for grace.
Proverbs 2:3-5 “. .yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
“His blood be on us and on our children!”
Scripture reading for August 23rd: Isaiah 11-13, Psalm 118, Matthew 27
Matthew 27: 22-26 “And he said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus Who is called the 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.”
Early on the day of His betrayal, Jesus was taken bound before Caiaphas, the high priest. John’s Gospel records that Caiaphas had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (John 18:14) He unknowingly was prophesying what Jesus would ultimately do. At Pilate’s judgment, it was customary for the crowd to ask for one prisoner to be released. When Pilate asked about releasing Jesus, the Jews had stirred the crowd to demand His crucifixion. Pilate was distraught, because he had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus and he had found nothing evil. He washed his hands as the crowd declared that they wanted Jesus’ blood on them and their children!
Psalm 118:26-27 “Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! We bless You from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God and He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with chords up to the altar!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son that You bound to the altar of the Cross that we might have salvation through Jesus’ precious blood. Forgive us for our rebellious spirits of violence and murder. Thank You for taking our place and paying for our sins and bringing us the Light of heaven! We now draw water from Your well of salvation and proclaim Your deeds to all peoples! Amen!
Isaiah 13:3-5 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His Name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.”