By Ammon Allen-Doucot, a sophomore at Goshen College Reprinted from Lenten Devotions Generally speaking, Matthew 27 is a particularly upsetting part of the Bible. Granted, we all know the story, we all know that Jesus does come back, but 27 is just intensely painful, which made me wonder how I could connect such a painful story to the overarching theme of “blessed.” What I have come to realize is that this passage, more than anything else, is about the power of integrity and peace. When Jesus gives up his spirit, the rocks crack, the sky darkens and the dead are raised. This is a tremendous exposition of power. Yet, we see Jesus walk willingly to it, he does not resist when he is before Pilate, when the crowds call for his blood, when the soldiers mock him and when the criminals mock him. This treatment is in extreme contrast with Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem just days ago. The fact is, Jesus had just as much power riding in on a donkey and being welcomed as he did on the walk to Golgotha. The significance of this passage is that it highlights that Jesus’ concern was not for himself and not effected by what happened around him, it was for the duty he had to God and therefore to humanity. We are blessed by Matthew 27, in that our God knows suffering, knows pain and knows compassion. The deity we aspire to follow does not turn to violence, instead we are called to walk a path where we can be mocked and harassed and hurt, and to do so bravely. Matthew 27:11-54 (NRSV)
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Chad Hill
Pastor, Allen-Lee CategoriesArchives
April 2015
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