They Were There When They Crucified My Lord

Matthew 27:1-56

Today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew is a long one, and covers most of the events of the trial, scourging, and crucifixion of Jesus.  I would like to do something a little different, to look at and think about the cast of characters that took part in these events.

The first people we meet in this chapter are the Jewish chief priests and elders.  They had opposed Jesus from the start of His ministry, and had actively fought against Him and His followers.  Their minds were completely closed to the truth, preferring to cling to their man-made traditions.  They would do anything to stop Jesus, including seeing that He is put to death.

In verse 2 we see Pontius Pilate.  He was the Roman governor over Judea, and was a tough, hard, no-nonsense political leader who was not too sympathetic to the Jews or their religious leaders.  He knew that the Jewish leaders had brought Jesus to him to see that He was executed due to their jealousy and misplaced religious rage.  Pilate believed that Jesus was innocent, but when the Jewish leaders threatened to bring their lies to the Emperor, he feared for his position and acquiesced to their demands for death.  Pilate did not have the courage to stand up for what he believed to be true, and preferred job security to the truth.

Verses 3-10 describe Judas Iscariot and his last hours.  It was he who betrayed Jesus.  Many scholars believe he did this, not because he hated Jesus, but because he wanted to force Jesus’ hand to become the military leader many Jews were looking for the Messiah to be, and kick the Romans out.  When Judas saw that this wasn’t happening, and that Jesus was actually going to be executed, he was disappointed and saddened.  Unfortunately, this was not a sadness that lead to repentance and salvation, but rather a sadness that his plans went awry.  This sadness led him to commit suicide.

There were the numberless crowds that gathered in front of Pilate’s residence, along the streets of Jerusalem, and at the cross.  Many mocked and jeered Jesus, calling for His death.  When Pilate said he was innocent of His death, they took the guilt of His Blood on themselves and children (vs. 25).  Others just stood by and watched.  Cold and callous hearts can be swayed by a mob mentality.  Apathy can lead people to just watch as the Savior is crucified.

To the Roman soldiers, Jesus was just another criminal troublemaker that they were ordered to execute.  Some may have heard a bit about Jesus, but most probably knew little or nothing about Him.  Military life in those days was hard and brutal, and this played out with the treatment they poured out on Jesus.  The love of the Savior was able to reach into some their tough hearts, as we see in verse 54.  The centurion, and perhaps other soldiers, came to acknowledge as the Son of God.

We meet Barabbas in verses 15-26.  He was a criminal who had been arrested earlier, and was condemned to die.  The Jewish leaders wanted him released and Jesus executed - the guilty set free, but the innocent condemned.  Barabbas probably didn’t even know what was happening when the jailors came to set him free.  “Barabbas, you’re free to go.  Someone else has taken your place and will be executed.”  That is the case for each of us.  Someone else took our place.

In verse 32 we meet Simon of Cyrene.  He was a visitor in Jerusalem that day, and happened to be out on the street when Jesus came by carrying His cross.  Suddenly a soldier grabs him and tells him to help Jesus carry the cross.  Simon has no choice but to obey.  Did that brief but close contact with the Savior lead him to salvation?  Legend says yes, but we don’t know for sure.

Verses 38 and 44 tell about the two thieves who were executed with Jesus.  At first they joined the Jewish leaders and people who were mocking and cursing Jesus.  In Luke 23:39-43 we read that one of the thieves repents and accepts Jesus as his Savior.  It is never too late to turn to the Savior and ask Him into your heart!  One can literally call out to Him with one’s last breath!

The last group of people we will look at are those who stand faithfully at the foot of the cross.  We see several women listed in verses 55-56, among them Mary Magdalene.  In John’s Gospel we also see Jesus’ mother and the Apostle John were also there (John 19:25-27).  They loved Him, and were not afraid to show their devotion, even in the midst of the hate-filled religious leaders and the soldiers.

As we look at these different people and groups, do we see ourselves in any of them?  May our meditations on all that Jesus endured for us and our salvation lead us leave the jeering crowds, and stand at the foot of the cross with Him as our Savior.