Matthew 26-28

October 20

Matthew 26-28

Jesus was crucified because he said he was the Son of God. Then He described himself with images that were used to describe God. At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared Jesus worthy of death for blasphemy. Before Pilate, Jesus affirmed that He was the king of the Jews. Jesus’ only crime was that He spoke the truth about who He was.

The religious leaders incited the crowd. The crowds turned against Jesus. Pilate washed his hands, but turned Jesus over to be crucified. The soldiers mocked Him, spit on Him and whipped Him before hanging Him on the cross to die. Nature responded with darkness, the earth quaked, the temple curtain tore, Jesus, the Son of God died. Terror came over some of the soldiers and they proclaimed the words that convicted Jesus; “surely He was the Son of God.”

The empty tomb proved the soldiers were right in their assessment of the situation Even death could not hold Jesus. He rose from the dead in victory over sin and death and met with His disciples. He proclaimed to them His challenge for the church until His return. "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)

All authority in heaven and on earth is His. He is all powerful and He has a job for us. We are to go and make disciples. We are to go and call others to follow. We are to teach what He taught. As we follow Jesus, as we grow in our relationship with Him, we bring others along with us. We are not in a bubble; we are a part of the Body of Christ, the Church. We are to work together to bring transformation to our world.