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In spare, unadorned language the last three chapters of
Matthew draw together the deep ironies of Jesus' life.
From the first sentence, Matthew has stressed that Jesus is
the Messiah, a true king. This Gospel is sometimes
called the "royal" Gospel because it refers so many times to
kingship.
But at the end of his life, the man whom wise men had
crossed a continent to worship was sold, like a slave, for
thirty pieces of silver. Jesus got a royal robe and
crown at last - but as a cruel mocking joke. Blood
from the wounds on His back clotted on the robe, and the
crown of thorns streaked his face with more blood.
Jesus' enemies asked him two chief questions: "Art
thou the King of the
Jews?" (27:11) and "tell us whether thou be the
Christ, the Son of God (26:63).
He answered with a simple "Thou sayest" (i.e., "Yes, it is
as you say"), confirming the major themes woven throughout
Matthew's book. Finally he was executed with his
"crime" - being a king - posted above his sagging body.
Jesus was indeed a king, but not the kind of king people
expected. Even his disciples, who had known Jesus intimately
for three years, slipped away in doubt.
The story, however, doesn't end with the death scene in
chapter 27. Good Friday would never have been called
"good" without the miracle described next. The king
came back! Three days after his
Crucifixion,
Jesus arose from the dead and later ascended back to heaven,
where He is waiting to return and take His Christians home
with Him someday. And the writer who opened his book
by tracing Jesus' Jewish roots ends it with Jesus' stirring
call to take the good news to all nations.
Source: The King
James Version, Student Bible
We hope that you know the King of Kings, Jesus, as your personal Savior and
Redeemer. Just ask Jesus for forgiveness of your sins
and turn away from your sins, showing true repentance, and
then ask Him to come into your heart and be the Lord of your
life.
May God bless and keep
you and your family. If we can help you, let us know.
Sincerely,
Hugh and Carolyn
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