Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Matthew – the Gospel of Fulfillment  Chapter 27     Blood

Perhaps the most important verse and concept of Matthew’s Gospel is verse 25 of this chapter.   Jesus has been handed over to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be crucified. Despite his efforts to prevent the crucifixion, Pilate relents to the demands of the angry mob.  Ceremoniously, he calls for water so he could wash his hands and say to the mob, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”  And the people respond, “His blood be on us and on our children!”   The remainder of the chapter describes the crucifixion.

What irony.  They were assuming responsibility for demanding the death of Jesus, not realizing the very importance of what they were saying.  Without taking the blood of Jesus on them – His death as the perfect offering for their sin – they would just be like Pilate.   None of us are “innocent” of Jesus’ blood – our sins and His love for us made Him give His life for us.  As the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 5:8-9, “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

Is the blood of Jesus on you?


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