Year 9, Day 201: Matthew 27

Theological Commentary: Click Here

The crucifixion story gives us another lens to view humanity.  There are those who do the right thing under stress.  There are those that make poor decisions.  There are even those who let others make decisions for them.  All of these dimensions of humanity are visible in this chapter.

I enjoy looking at Judas.  I personally think he was a man who believed Jesus was the Messiah.  I believe he wasn’t trying to get Jesus killed but trying to give Him a clear opportunity to overthrow the Romans and the Hebrew religious leaders.  This is why I believe he returns the money in this chapter.  He thought he knew what he was doing, but he realizes too late that things aren’t going as planned. He made a poor decision and had no escape plan.  Under stress, he erred.  It ended up costing him his life through another poor decision made under stress.  Unable to experience forgiveness and grace, he takes his own life.

On the other hand, look at the religious leaders.  They are getting what they want.  They appear to be in control.  In other Gospels we hear that they incited the crowd against Jesus.  They make a poor decision because they are getting what they want and don’t realize what it is doing with their relationship with God.

Speaking of the crowd, look at the decisions they make.  Only a week ago, the crowd was ready to crown Jesus king during the triumphal entry.  They marveled at His teaching and His miracles.  Now, because of the bloodlust in the crowd, they cry out for His death.  Worse, they even beg for a known murderer to be released into their midst just so that Jesus dies.  They are suffering from mob mentality and making poor decisions as they check their brains at the door and let others think for them.

Not everyone makes a bad decision, though.  The soldiers around Jesus – even though they aren’t supporting Jesus – at least have the ability to recognize something significant when it happens.  At Jesus’ death, they recognize that between the earthquake, the sky darkening, and the temple curtain tearing that Jesus was something special.  These uninformed and often uninterested Romans could sense there was something special at work.

Then there are the women, Joseph of Arimathea, and a few other scant spectators.  Regardless of their grief, their loyalty remains.  They can think through the stress and turmoil.  They make the right decisions.  They mourn at the appropriate time.  They don’t abandon Jesus even on the cross.

Human beings are interesting people.  Some of us are more capable of making good decisions than others.  Some of us make decisions based upon our environment or stress level.  Some of us are able to separate our circumstances and make the right decision regardless.  We see it all as Jesus is on the road to the cross.

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