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“Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”  So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified”.– Matthew 27:20-26

Possibly some of the same people who previously heralded Jesus a few days earlier by placing palm leaves down and praising Him as their King were now calling for His life.  They allowed the terrible wicked leaders to turn them against the Lord.  Sadly they listened to the voices of those against Jesus and did not use their own rational judgment.

It is very easy to get people riled up.  I have always been amazed at the reaction of some sports fans after their team wins the Super Bowl or National Championship.  They deem it necessary to tear things up and burn everything in site!

People often do thing that are wrong and illogical because everyone else is doing it.  Philologists refer to this type of behavior as the “Mob Mentality”.  The concept of “Mob Mentality” is the idea that when people become a part of a large group or crowd, they become deindividualized and act along with the crowd, even if the acts of the crowd go against their own personal nature or morals. Inclusion in a mob often causes the individual to lose responsibility for their actions, with the subconscious theory, “everyone is doing it.” Mobs or crowds encourage conformity, and many or all of the members will follow the crowd’s actions no matter what they might be.

In verse 25, we find a bone chilling statement, “And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”  The Jews shouted that they would take the responsibility for the death of Jesus and the penalty.  For the last 2000 years of history, the Jews have suffered grievously.

Similarly in Acts 2:36 we find, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”  Notice that Luke points the finger at the Jews; not Pilate, not the Romans, but God’s chosen people.

I am more concerned why Jesus went to the cross and not who actually did it.  I am just as responsible because of my sin (Romans 3:23;6:23) as those who were there on that day.  I am convinced that Christ would have gone and died for me, even if I was the only one in need.  You see, Jesus loves you and I that much!

Questions to Consider:

1. Have you ever gone along with the crowd only to regret it later?
2. How can you more effectively be your own person?
3. On a scale of 1 (easiest) to 10 (toughest), how difficult is it for you to accept responsibility?
4. With whom do you identify in this account: Jesus, Pilate, Pilate’s wife, the crowd, the chief priests or Barabbas?  Why?

For the past few weeks we have considered different Biblical answers to the question, “What Will You Do With Jesus?”  The way each of us answer this question is of eternal importance.  May we each study the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11) and allow them to direct our paths as we each strive to live a life of significance and holiness.

Matthew 26:69-75 reads, “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”  After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.”  Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.  And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Jesus predicted Peter would deny Him three times in Matthew 26:30-35.  Initially Peter stands for Jesus during the betrayal and Jesus by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of Malchus; a servant of the high priest (John 18:10).  However; Peter quickly found out that this was not the way by hearing Jesus’ rebuke of his action.

Peter is next found warming up by a fire and begins to hear false statements and accusations about Jesus.  Peter then begins to doubt to true identity of the One in whom be confessed to be the Christ.  Those in the crowd begin to hear his Galilean accent and (rightly) accuse him of being with Jesus.  After a series of questioning, Peter began to vehemently deny that he was a follower of Jesus.  Peter, said, he did not even know Jesus.  To emphasize his point, Peter began to curse and to swear.  At this time the rooster crows for the second time.

Luke records that Jesus turned and looked upon Peter (Luke 22:61).  The crowing of the rooster brought to Peter’s memory Jesus’ prediction about him.  Peter went out and wept bitterly (26:34).  In contrast to the grief of Judas, which brought death, the grief of Peter, brought repentance.  Peter was filled with genuine sorrow for what he had done.

For those who profess to be followers of Christ, can we too deny knowing Jesus?  Is it possible for us to deny Him through our actions, through the choices we make, and/or the places we go?  Everyday we are on trial by our friends and neighbors.  We claim to be a Christian but do our lives support that claim.

In John 21:15-19, we read about the reunion between these two close friends.  Jesus asks Peter three times in he loves Him.  Throughout this exchange we learn where Jesus brought Peter back.  The great news for us today is Jesus will bring us back if we will repent.

Questions to consider:

1. What are some practical ways in which Christians deny Jesus as the Lord of their lives?
2. If you were Peter, what steps would you have taken to ensure that you wouldn’t deny Christ after Jesus predicted you would deny Him?
3. What factors contribute to our moments of weakness for sin?
4. When have you felt like Peter? When did you cry in regret before God?

As we continue with our study, we find the following in Matthew 26:57-61, “Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”

Jesus is brought before the elders and the high priests and put on trial.  The problem, however, was simple.  There wasn’t a single person who could testify that Jesus had committed any crime.  Therefore, the Jews resorted to the only possible thing they could do; they had false witnesses lie about Jesus.

Their false tactic was simple; they were going to twist and take out of context His words in regard to the temple being destroyed and rebuilt in three days recorded in John 2:18-22.  The temple in question was Herod’s temple, which took decades and decades to build.  However; Jesus was not talking about Herod’s temple but was talking about His body dying on the cross, being buried in the tomb until He was resurrected on the third day.  The Jews considered speaking against the temple a crime.

The false accusations about Jesus continued.  The false witnesses involving Jesus and His resurrection are addressed by Matthew in Mathew 28:15, “So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.”  The Jews continued to lie.  They bribed the guards to say they fell asleep and the apostles took the body of Jesus.

I am not a lawyer, however; their stance and defense would not stand up in today’s courts.  Consider the fact that If the guards were asleep, how do they know the apostles took the body of Jesus?

Still today, many people try to disclaim that Christ died and rose on the third day by saying that Jesus was drugged, which slowed down his heartbeat to make everyone think he was dead.  They state that Jesus was actually sleeping and only appeared to be dead.

As we continue to consider the question, What Will You Do With Jesus?;  I want to suggest that lying about Jesus is the wrong answer.

Questions to Consider:

• What are some examples of people making false accusations about Jesus Christ in our modern time?
• What is the most absurd accusation you have ever heard an individual make about Jesus?  Here is a great article entitled, “False Charges Against Christ” you might also enjoy.  https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1485-false-charges-against-christ
• Why do many individuals feel it is easier to lie than to state the truth?  Advantages/Disadvantages

In my previous post, we began our study by looking at the question posed in Matthew 27:22, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”  We are looking at various men or groups of people to see how they responded to this important question.  Today we will consider the betrayal of Judas.

Matthew 26:6-16 reads, “Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.”

Clearly, Judas objects to the woman’s use of the oil.  Judas, being the money holder for the apostles, viewed the woman’s action as wasteful.  Judas expressed a noble purpose for his objection; however, John relates Judas’ real motive was because he was a thief (John 12:4-6).  Jesus understood what was in their heart.  This was not a time to criticize but a time to praise.  Jesus rebuked the apostles telling them that Mary action was an action of love.

Judas made the decision to betray Jesus when Jesus didn’t rise to political power.  Judas may have striven to have position, power, money, or gained something else entirely.  Judas approached the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:5).  They gave him the money right then which fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12.

Judas immediately began looking for the opportune time to deliver Jesus to the chief priests.  It would have to be a time when he was by himself and away from the crowd.  The chief priests wanted to have Jesus tried, convicted, and crucified before the crowd knew what was happening.

Far too often today, people get into the wrong crowd and betray Jesus.  Businesses cheat or swindle to make more money.  Many do not do what is right instead they listen to Satan and the world and sell Him out.

Betraying Jesus is the wrong answer!

Questions to Consider:

• What are some examples of individuals betraying Jesus today?
• How can greed so overwhelm a person that they betray their Friend and Savior for money?
• In what ways do our sins give Satan inroads into us so he can control us?
• What steps can one take to ensure they are always faithful to Jesus?

In my personal studies I recently came across Matthew 27:22 which asks the question, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” This is a question that every responsible person on earth faces regardless of who you are or how old you may be.  Everyone is going to have to face this question at one point or another within their lifetime.

The gospel of Matthew records various answers by various individuals or groups of people.  My goal is to spend the next week weeks looking at the responses given in Scripture and prayerfully applying it to our life today.

My prayer is that you answer this question correctly.  If so, you will have success in both this life and salvation in Heaven.  If you answer the question incorrectly, you will have sabotaged your earthly life and have guaranteed separation from God for all eternity.

Caiaphas Plotted Against Jesus

“When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5)

The Romans took over the territory of Israel and decided to place a religious leader in political position to keep order the way the Romans wanted.  Caiaphas was not religious but acted as though he were.  Simply put, he was a hypocrite.  As a result, he viewed Jesus as a threat to his political power because the people began to flock to Jesus and follow Him.  Caiaphas realized that his political position was in dire jeopardy and so he sought was to trap and kill Jesus.

I find it interesting how David wrote about such men as Caiaphas hundreds of years earlier in Psalms 2:1-4, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision”. The Lord knew that Caiaphas would plot against Jesus and try to win.  However; the Lord knew they would all try but fail miserably.

Questions to Consider:

• In our world today, how are some individuals still plotting against Jesus?
• Why is the benefit for anyone to chose to plot against Jesus?
• What are some tactics we see today of people plotting against Jesus?
• How can we find peace knowing that those who are trying to plot against Jesus will truly never be successful?