Thy Strong Word — Matthew 27:24-44. Unbelievable mercy to unbelievable sinners: His blood be on us and on our children.

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 27:24-44.

The people were about to riot unless Jesus, the innocent, sinless man was crucified. By God’s wisdom Pilate’s decision to have Jesus crucified is what brings us healing, life, and forgiveness. We feel the mockery, the thorns in the head, the moisture of spit on his face, and the nails piercing his skin. The words of the people and Roman soldiers are “true” (Blood will be on us, Hail King of the Jews, Son of God), but they are proclaimed not in saving faith. We see Jesus, the true King, serve His people in His kingdom by submission to God’s will in weakness for the sake of us (2 Corinthians 5:21). In grief we say, “Thanks be to God!” “Lord God, once again we look at the cross where Your Son died. Open our eyes to see this action by faith and humble us to receive Your promises with joy. In Christ, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Matthew 27:24-44

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

²⁴So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;^[a] see to it yourselves.” ²⁵And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” ²⁶Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged^[b] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

²⁷Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,^[c] and they gathered the whole battalion^[d] before him. ²⁸And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

³²As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. ³³And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), ³⁴they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. ³⁵And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. ³⁶Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. ³⁷And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” ³⁸Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. ³⁹And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads ⁴⁰and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” ⁴¹So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, ⁴²“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Matthew 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man’s blood
Matthew 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
Matthew 27:27 Greek the praetorium
Matthew 27:27 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)