Read Matthew 27:45–54
Questions from the Scripture text: During what hours did what happen (Matthew 27:45)? At that point, how does Jesus cry (Matthew 27:46)? What does Jesus cry? What do some bystanders say about this (Matthew 27:47)? What does one do (Matthew 27:48)? What do the rest say (Matthew 27:49)? What two things does Jesus then do (Matthew 27:50)? What three signs occur in Matthew 27:51? And what great sign in Matthew 27:52-53? Who observe these things (Matthew 27:54)? What effect does this have upon them? What do they say?
What does Jesus do as Priest? Matthew 27:45–54 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus propitiates God’s wrath, an offers a once-for-all sacrifice, opening the way for us into the Holy of Holies.
Though wicked men collude to mock Christ at His cross (Matthew 27:27-44, cf. Psalm 2), the creation responds both to His suffering (Matthew 27:45) and His death (Matthew 27:51-53). Jesus uses what strength remains at the end for a cry (Matthew 27:46) that both expresses His experience, and identifies it as a fulfillment of Psalm 22. Sympathetic bystanders are severely outnumbered (Matthew 27:47-49), but Jesus authoritatively dismisses His Spirit (Matthew 27:50), completing the once-for-all sacrifice that obsoletes the ceremonial law (Matthew 27:51a), opening the way to the true holy of holies, where He will serve as priest, upon the merits of His blood, forever. An unsympathetic people are redeemed by a sympathetic High Priest!
Does your response to Christ’s cross most resemble vain curiosity, sympathy, or believing wonder?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for offering the once-for-all sacrifice for us. Make us know that You are truly the Son of God, make our hearts tender, and bring us all the way to God with You, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP22B “Be Not Far Off” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”
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