Matthew 27:1-2
When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. After tying him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
The bogus pretrial proceedings the night before is over. The High Priest managed to get Jesus to affirm his accusation against him, affirming that the witnesses were correct when they said he claimed to be divine. Peter has committed his infamous lie, denying Jesus before the onlookers. And Judas had a change of heart, or so it seems.
Matthew 27:4
"I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,"
I have to be honest; I believe Judas did in fact repent. He confessed his sin, and so sincere was he, that he took his own life.
(v.5) "So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself."
Jesus is then brought before the Roman Governor Pilate. The Governor asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews, and Jesus basically says, "you said it".
From that point on during the trial Jesus remains silent. And-so-it goes for all of us. Jesus has proclaimed his divinity and his kingship. And now everyone sits in judgement of him. Pilate judged him, the mob did too, and you and I do as well. We're given the very same choice and judgment to make. We can wash our hands of it all, or we can pick up our cross and continue to follow him. At this point we have no other choices. This is the point of no return. This is our come-to-Jesus moment. But which Jesus?
I find it very interesting what happens next. Pilate attempts to create an ethical dilemma for the Jews, he juxtaposes Jesuses. Pilate makes use of a festival custom in which he offers the people their choice of a prisoner that they'd prefer to have released and set free. I think his motive has more to do with making a point about them and their motives, than about being generous to the Jews during their festival.
Matthew 27:17-18
"So, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over."
I believe Pilate used the statement "Jesus who is called Christ" because he was messing with the Jews. He discovered he had in his prison two Jesuses. He had Jesus who is called Christ, and Jesus Barabbas. And what a wonderful game this was for him. He had a delicious ethical trap set for these Jews. And to make it even more palatable, both prisoners were named Jesus. And for even greater fun, Barabbas means "son of the father", bar (son), abba (father). So, Barabbas would be Jesus-son-of-the-father. Pilate was no fool and understood this very well and he was mocking the Jews by putting such a stark question to them.
So, the people get to decide which Jesus they want. And to drive his ironic point home he literally nailed them with his mocking game by nailing a sign onto Jesus' cross.
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (John 19:19)
It's perfect.
The people selected a false messiah and crucified the true Messiah. And this historical person, Jesus Barabbas, has present-day implications as many come preaching “another Jesus” today. Today many preach and teach Jesus, son of the devil.
There are two Jesuses being presented here: Jesus Barabbas (the son of the father) and Jesus the one being called “Christ” (Anointed) who is the Son of the Father in Heaven. Which will you choose?
The chief priests and elders wanted the crowd to choose Jesus Barabbas.
Matthew 27:20-22
"The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus."
What do we have to say about these people?
Their “Jesus” is the son of their “father” and not the Son of the Father. John's epistle calls them “antichrists”.
1 John 2:22-27
"Who is a liar but he that denied that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denied the Father and the Son."
Our Jesus, Jesus Messiah, the Son of the Father, offers eternal life to those who love God and obey and confess His word. Their father does not promise us eternal life. Instead they seduce the people by nurturing the flesh. Their "Jesus" never comes apart from the desires of the flesh. The spirit of the antichrist denies that The Spirit of Jesus is coming and dwelling in our mortal bodies, and they seek to remove the keeping of His “daily” sacrifice out of our lives.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11
"Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies."
Spiritual babies have a problem with sound doctrine because being spiritually strong means the word must be abiding in you. They are still too close to their old self. They are tossed and enticed by the winds of false doctrines that seem to be a true "Jesus".
Ephesians 4:14
"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."
The spiritual development of new believers in Paul's church was essential. New systems of thought, the “New Age” movements of the day, was lurking and luring Christians away with the prospects of a higher knowledge and understanding. But it's not enough that the individual mature in their faith, the church itself must mature, be reformed, and nurture maturity, because a community that is growing spiritually fosters individual spiritual growth. The fullness and richness of the body of Christ is maintained in the spiritual growth of the pilgrims who travel together and grow together in communities of faith. As the church matures the individual matures. And in order to prevent the winds of false doctrines from tearing apart their communities they ALL must mature in their understanding. You cannot maintain a relationship with God's will if you are not maturing in your understanding of the light of God's word. How are you going to see your way through if you can't see the light?
We are anointed by Gods word when we are maturing in it. The benefit is discovering the truth. And a growing faith that brings assurance, wisdom, hope, and most importantly love.
If he's your Jesus? Then honor him with your time in study of His word!
Job 23:12
"I have not departed from his commands but have treasured his words more than daily food."
If God honors his word above his own name, then why wouldn't you do likewise? Say yes to it, respond to it, keep it, study it, and obey it.
Psalm 138:2
"I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word."
Engage yourself in the battle to defend the word of God. Preach it, honor it, fight for it, and study it.
2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Cut it straight and true with a right eye on keener level of detail and integrity. "Rightly handle it". Know the truth about the Jesus you choose to follow. "Correctly handles" means "cut straight". In contrast to “empty or foolish talk” (see 1 Timothy 4:7)
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"
Train yourself. Train your church. Train each other. Know your Jesus.
God bless you now and always in the name of Jesus who is called Christ.
#JesusIsKing #WordOfGodSpeak