April 20th, 2025: Christ Dies and Rises to New Life | Matthew 27:39-49, 45, 54, Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 27:39-54 (I added to the lesson)

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Witnesses of the crucifixion saw a man beaten beyond recognition. They saw nail-torn flesh, and they saw the agony of death. They saw Him in the company of thieves and murderers. What many in the multitudes who followed Him had desired to see was power. They wanted a champion to throw off the yoke of Rome. They wanted a leader with the ability to improve their lives, their health, and their status.  

During His earthly ministry, they sought Him in order to hear something new, or to receive or witness a miracle. They wanted to be a part of a popular movement, and they came from everywhere because they hoped He would be able to do something for them that no one else could do.  

“Wagging their heads,” they not only reviled Him (verbally abused with an intent to cause harm), they shook their heads with disappointment. He died for those people, who shamed Him, who tortured Him, and who considered themselves worthy to judge Him. The compassion of Christ on unworthy man is beyond comprehension.  “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34).

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Their ignorance is shocking, their pride in full color. They pushed aside the miracle of His birth, they pushed aside the testimony of the law, they ignored His miracles, they denied His wisdom, and they thought that they were in a position of power over the Son of God. It’s Satan’s message they threw in His face. From the time of His temptation until He closed His eyes in death, it was the Devil’s desire to keep Him from the cross. He was offered riches, power, and authority in exchange for suffering and sacrifice. Jesus turned down all the things that humanity desires. He gave away everything. He chose the impossible over the convenient.  “With God, all things are possible...” (Matthew 19:26).

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

The religious leaders desired to keep the power and position they imagined to hold.  The ones who should have loved him best, hurt him the most.  He should have been recognized, He should have been worshiped, He should have been loved, but He was mocked.  “Let HIm come Down,” if He had chosen to leave the cross, all of humanity would be eternally damned.  

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Jesus trusted the Father. The hardest time to trust is when we are in pain. It’s easy to love God in the beautiful times of life. In these bodies, we avoid pain at all cost, and we always think that suffering should be avoided. Jesus trusted His Father when the cross was the plan.  “Not my will, but thine, be done..." (Luke 22:42).

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

The thieves crucified on each side of Christ had no expectation of mercy, they were guilty. 

They both mocked Him at first, vile and rebellious, ending their lives as they had lived them.  Something in the way Jesus died, not only drew one of the criminals to Him, it drew those Roman executioners' hearts to HIm as well.  “Surely, this must be the Son of God…” (Matthew 27:54)

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

I wonder how the mockers trembled when the lights went out. How did the Pharisees reassure each other when they realized what they had done? What lies did they whisper? Satan had done His worst, and Christ clung to His Father’s truth. Out of darkness, out of pain and suffering, out of confusion and evil, the Son of God spoke the Word of God in faith, Psalm 22, giving testimony to the plan of salvation. He was the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world..." (Revelation 13:8).

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

The vinegar was intended to temporarily bring some measure of relief.  It was rejected by Christ when He tasted it, again, He chose to give it all for us.  

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Some still desired to see a miracle, to be thrilled by a show of power.  Their statement betrays them, they had seen enough of His works to know He was no ordinary man.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Sin separated us, Christ restored us. The veil separated the Holiest place in the Temple from everywhere else. Behind that veil, the High Priest alone could offer the blood of the lamb on the mercy seat. Jesus satisfied the demands of the law permanently.  His obedience to the Father gives us access to Heaven. The battle was won, and the champion had prevailed! “It is finished...” (John 19:30).  Once for all.

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

All who waited for the Messiah, all who died in faith that God would keep His promise, were rewarded. Christ bought back the eternal life that Adam sold in disobedience. God asked Ezekiel at a mass grave, “Can these bones live?”  Ezekiel answered, “Thou knowest.”  Only the God who created us can give us life and new life.  Only the conqueror of death can create the resurrection.  

“And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.’ 

Matthew 28: 1-10

 1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow::

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The messenger of God had so much power that the guards at His tomb were overpowered. Imagine saying that you didn’t believe Christ, but fearing so much that guards were placed at His grave. An earthquake, a shaking of the foundations. The Bible predicts another earthquake, one that will introduce the wrath of God on the earth. Christ holds this planet together. It was made by Him and for Him. The angel revealed an empty tomb to those who should have expected it. Jesus told them that it was coming. A trumpet is about to reveal His return, I wonder how many in the “church” will be surprised to hear it?  

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The messenger of God knew what they were looking for, but He declared what they needed to see.  :

7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

“Go quickly!” They had waited for so many years for the Messiah to come, but when He came, He changed things immediately. There is an urgency to the message of God. We need to move, to do the will of God, which is to preach the gospel to the whole world. We need to move. If you are hesitant to commit yourself to Christ, know this: He will return suddenly.  You don’t have forever to decide where you will place your trust.  “In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye…” (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

How many people are playing a game with God this morning? You want to see the miracles, you are curious about the movement, but you have put yourself in a place of judgment about Jesus. How many desire the benefit of His power, but reject the authority of His will? It is not enough to dance around the edges; you must be born again. You must give Christ your all. It is an uneven but beautiful exchange, because He has given His all for you. He held nothing back that was required to save you, what holds you back from knowing and loving Him?

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!