Matthew 27c Commentary
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to have Jesus executed. Not only do they scheme against Jesus, but they also actively recruit support for his execution. It isn’t enough. They seal off Jesus’ tomb to ensure the story of Jesus is down forever.
The saint must know the devil fights to keep the story of Jesus down. Deception and manipulation are still effective tools.
Ponder these facts. If there is unbelief in your life, know there is no logical process backing such unbelief. Doubt is often unreasonable. That’s how dullness is spelled. Real wisdom can only come from above. And it is always a gift. Even children can tell the foolishness of some of the arguments presented by the world’s ‘smartest’ brains to support their unbelief.
Such was the impact of Jesus’ ministry that the Pharisees, even them, could clearly remember his teachings. If there is unbelief, let the preacher know; it is not always that the message is wrong or the messenger is faulty. There are times when the audience is simply impossible. The priests and the Pharisees are a problem. Nothing works with this team!
Look deep inside yourself and see that Jesus hasn’t done anything wrong. He seeks your best. The Creator wants you close to Himself.
“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” Is the rich man of Arimathea, Joseph, living out verse 9 of Isaiah 53?
While some spit on him, others value him so much that they give up personal items like a custom grave chamber. Several others lose their lives for the sake of His name. But to the chief priests and the Pharisees, Jesus remains a deceiver. It is an argument they use before Pilate to get the tomb sealed off – to keep Jesus and his memory down forever.
Joseph is a rich man and his standing in the community is powerful enough to enable him to have an audience with the governor. He is a disciple. Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin is also a disciple. Matthew, the presumed author of this volume and a civil servant is also a disciple. Fishermen, women of note, countrymen, and women, sinners, and the list goes on and on.
You cannot use intelligence against the gospel and succeed. You cannot use poverty against the gospel and succeed. Simple faith in the LORD Jesus Christ is all that is required. Can you supply it?
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