The Veil Was Torn Series

Quick recap of last weeks message:

Began on Friday, with Martha serving Jesus and disciples supper, and Mary anointing Jesus’ feet in Bethany.

Jesus foretold His death.

As Jesus and the disciples approach Jerusalem, He sends a couple disciples to get a donkey, and a couple disciples to secure a room for the 12 and Him to observe Passover.

Before they entered the city, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, as He know in only a few short years Jerusalem would again be completely destroyed.

Jesus enters the city riding on a donkey to the cries of Hosanna.

He goes into and clears the temple of the den of thieves.

The religious leaders try to trick him.

He heals, and speaks in parables.

He gives His disciples one final big teaching @ the Mount of Olives.

The religious vigorously conspire to arrest and kill Jesus.

Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper @ Passover meal.

He washes the disciples feet.

He predicts the sheep will scatter and that Peter will deny Him 3 times.

Jesus and disciples go to Gethsemane where Judas betrays Him and is arrested.

He is handed over to the religious leaders.

Peter denies Jesus 3 times.

Which brings us to the trial and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior.

Although today’s message relies heavily on Matthew’s account of these events, we’ll examine how the other 3 gospels weave into this story.

Just as last week, I’ll ask that you not try to turn to each scripture referenced but rather take in the story. This is HIS story! And this is THE story for us as disciples of Christ.

Having said that, if you’d like to turn to Matthew chapter 27, this is where most of today’s message takes place.

We’ll begin in verse 1.

Jesus is handed over to Pilate.

All 4 gospels recount this event.

Matthew 27:1–2 “When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.”

John records it as this:

John 18:28 “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, (which was Pilates headquarters) lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.”

Matthew 27:3–8 “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.”

While Matthews gospel is the only gospel that records Judas hanging himself, Luke records it in Acts 1:18–19 “(Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama (a-kell-dama), that is, Field of Blood.)”

Jesus faces Pilate

This account is found in all 4 gospels

Matthew 27:11–14 “Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.”

I’d like us to go back to Gethsemane for just a second. After Peter drew his sword and struck the Roman soldier and cut off his ear, Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, and He said this:

Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

So, He didn’t need to defend Himself to Pilate, He had already said everything that needed to be said about defending Himself, while back @ Gethsemane.

The leaders continue to try to stir things up:

Luke 23:2–5 “And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.””