St. Matthew 27:24-31
Dearly beloved,
The Passover feast, which is the setting for the gospel tonight, was
a major festival celebrated by the Jewish people. Jerusalem, at the
time of Jesus, had a population of close to but not more than 30,000
people. When a major festival would take place, such as the Passover
feast, things would change quite quickly. At the time of Christ,
actual figures recorded that close to three million people would crowd
into Jerusalem at the time of the Passover.
As you may well surmise, the dynamics associated with such a
situation would change quickly. Among those pouring in were different
degrees of Jewish believers. There were Sadducees, Pharisees and
even a group called the Zealots. The Zealots were a more militant
bunch. The Pharisees, while a wild bunch of their own right, were
willing to let God’s hand lead the course of events. The Zealots were
different. They saw that it was perfectly acceptable to take matters
into their own hands.
They believed that it was God-pleasing to use violent means to attain
their goals. When three million people would crowd into a small area
such as Jerusalem, this was the opportunity of the more radical Jews
to stir up the crowds. This is that shifting dynamic. Pontius Pilate
was actually stationed along the Mediterranean coast where it was
beautiful and peaceful. But when such large crowds would pour into
Jerusalem for the big feasts, then Pontius Pilate would, albeit
reluctantly, gather up his soldiers, guards, provisions, chariots,
etc. and travel to Jerusalem to be stationed there.
Pilate knew that he would have to clean up messes, deal with radical
Jews, and there would be killings and persecutions. He didn’t like it
but on this particular occasion Pontius Pilate had no idea how much
would be at stake. All of these dynamics culminate in the current
situation in our gospel lection. There stands Pontius Pilate before
an angry mob. His wife warned Pilate that she had a dream and Pilate
was to having nothing to do with this Jesus of Nazareth.
Does the crowd want Barabbas or Jesus released? Barabbas was a known
criminal and murderer. He was clearly deserving of punishment. In
fact, Barabbas is thought to have been one of these Zealots, who had
participated in an insurrection at the Passover feast (St. Mark 15:7).
It would be logical to conclude, as a result, that there were many
Zealots in the crowd beckoning for Barabbas. The whole set of events
which took place are to be considered a mockery of Jesus.
Tonight our Lenten meditation is on the Wound of Mockery. Last week
we pondered the Wound of Denial, with St. Peter’s three-fold denial of
Christ. Tonight we see just how deep the wound of mockery ran. Why
is all this to be considered mockery? Mockery is any belittling of
Christ’s godhead. It was clear that Jesus was in the flesh, but these
people did not consider Him to be God. If they had, they would have
treated the situation much differently.
But this, after all, is why Jesus was on trial. He had prophesied
His death. He had told of His raising of the temple, which was His
body. He taught about the new way of the gospel. He had talked of
His being of the same essence with the Heavenly Father. But the world
was unbelieving. After the crowd yelled out its intention to have
Jesus crucified, the soldiers then led Jesus away to the Praetorium.
They called the whole battalion to watch the beating of Christ.
They mocked His kingship, by putting a purple robe upon Him, a crown
of thorns, and yelled “Hail King of the Jews.” How sad and
unfortunate even for the Roman soldiers, for even in their mockery
they were wrong. Not only is Jesus truly God and the King of Kings,
but He was not the King only of the Jews. Jesus is the King of the
world, the King of heaven, and the Lord of Lords. Even in their
ignorance, the guards showed even greater ignorance.
They knelt before Him and mocked Him. How sad this is, because they
were so blind that they didn’t perceive or understand the love that
existed in the flesh and blood God-man who stood before them bleeding.
Before their sinful, wretched souls, stood the only one who could
save them, and Jesus was more than willing to save them. Had they
confessed their sins to Jesus at that moment as they knelt before Him,
He would have willingly forgiven them.
Had they opened up to this man and told him how weak and sorrowfully
and angry they were, Jesus would have comforted them and given them
peace right on the spot. But the gospel had fallen on deaf ears.
Jesus had taught it, He lived it and gave signs as proof that He is
who He said He is. But, tensions ran high and deep, rumors clouded
the gospel and replaced it. Misunderstanding took the place of the
Divine truth, mockery made its way into a crowd instead of sincere
divine understanding. Evil men had their way, or so they thought.
This sounds a lot like the world today. Even in the midst of the
gospel is evil. Just as the demon possessed man was in the temple
when Jesus preached, even so is Satan crouching in the midst of holy
things and holy people. There stood Jesus the Holy One, yet Satan was
moving pieces around as in a fierce chess match. You need to beware
of this. The gospel can be snatched right out of your midst if you
are not careful to hold on to it with all of your might.
Satan often misleads people, even whole churches because they become
preoccupied with things that don’t matter. Once the gospel is
removed, then comes mockery, denial, apathy, and betrayal—all the
themes we have looked at thus far this Lenten season. Jesus loves
you. Just as I said, Jesus would have forgiven those Roman guards in
a second if they had repented of their mockery and sin. So it is with
you. Jesus is standing there filled with love and mercy. Jesus will
take away your sins. When your sins are removed from you, they are
removed forever, even in heaven.
His very being and Godhead is the essence of this undying love.
Jesus only wants you to kneel before Him with sincerity in your
hearts. Do not kneel with apathy, indifference, or mockery. Kneel
with repentance on your lips, sincerely needing Jesus, confessing Him
and He shall set you free. The great irony of all that took place
with Christ’s passion is that He willing allowed all of this to happen
so that He would reconcile you to the Heavenly Father. This is His
love to its fullest and greatest extent.
Someday we shall all be found kneeling before the throne in heaven.
Those in the white robes of baptism, faith and repentance shall find
that love emanating from His very body and you shall have a
contentment and peace, which you have never known before. Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
www.frchadius.blogspot.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
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