Read Matthew 27:26–44
Questions from the Scripture text: Whom did Pilate release (Matthew 27:26)? What did he do with Jesus? What did the soldiers do to Jesus in Matthew 27:27? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:28? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:29? How did they mock Him? What did they do to Him in Matthew 27:30? What did they finally get around to doing in Matthew 27:31? Whom do they find in Matthew 27:32? What do they compel him to do? To what place do they come (Matthew 27:33)? What do they give Him (Matthew 27:34)? But what does He do with it? What do they do to Jesus in Matthew 27:35? And with His garments? Why (cf. Psalm 22:18)? What do they proceed to do (Matthew 27:36)? What do they put over His head (Matthew 27:37)? Whom do they add in Matthew 27:38? What do passers-by do (Matthew 27:39)? Saying what (Matthew 27:40)? Who else join (Matthew 27:41)? Saying what (Matthew 27:42)? What do they say that they will do, in what circumstance? How else do they mock (Matthew 27:43)? Who joins all of this mocking (Matthew 27:44)?
How must we respond to the dying Christ? Matthew 27:26–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must respond to the dying Christ by abandoning all resistance to Him, and trusting Him Who ruled over all things to die for us.
For the soldiers, it was not enough to crucify Jesus as assigned (Matthew 27:26). They show that their participation in the spirit of Psalm 2:1–3 by the extra effort for mockery in Matthew 27:29-31.
But the Lord is also going above and beyond. Simon is compelled to carry the cross to Golgotha, and later his sons, Alexander and Rufus, are known both to Mark (cf. Mark 15:21) and Paul (cf. Romans 16:13) as eminent believers. Though not via His humanity, the Lord Jesus is working here to bring His elect, literally, to behold Him and His cross. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus rejects the pain-numbing cocktail in Matthew 27:34, insisting upon enduring the cross as clear-mindedly as possible. Seemingly random details fulfill prophecy, demonstrating that the Lord is sovereignly superintending all of this (Matthew 27:35, cf. Acts 4:24–28).
Finally, Matthew 27:36-44 pull together all parts of humanity in their Psalm 2:1–3 collusion. The soldiers, the passers-by, the chief priests and scribes and elders, even the robbers who were crucified with Him. Be careful that you do not join them, dear reader, with demands of what sign from Jesus would convince us to believe. They said, “let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him” (Matthew 27:42). The Lord Jesus is in the midst of giving the fullest demonstration that He is God, Who came to die for sinners, and they are setting terms of faith. Don’t set terms, dear reader. Trust in the dying God-Man to be your Savior!
When do you find yourself doubting Christ? Whom would you be joining if you do? What do you need to do instead? Where must you get the grace to do so?
Sample prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for ruling and overruling all things to die for us. Forgive us, for we often are sluggish to believe, or even resistant. Don’t let us join the nations that rage, and the kings and peoples that plot in vain. Make us those who kiss the Son, those blessed who trust in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”
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