A Day of Darkness

He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

For He shall bear their iniquities.

-Isaiah 53:11

I wondered many things as I read through Matthew 27.  Has the death of Jesus become a commonplace event that we, even we as Christians, neglect to really ponder?  Does the wickedness of the chief priests and elders alarm us?  They plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.  Even Pilate realized that they had handed Him over because of envy.  I was struck with the evil that abounded on that day.  I was struck with the wickedness in my own heart.  Do I ever take action because of envy? 

Judas was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver.  Did he think that the evil thing he had done could be undone?  When he threw the silver pieces at their feet and left, they consulted what should be done with them.  The silver couldn’t be put in the temple treasury because it was the price of blood.  Did the chief priests and elders understand what they had done?  Did they realize that envy had led them to condemn Jesus?  Did they ever repent?

When Jesus stood before Pilate, he did not answer with regard to even a single charge brought against Him by the chief priests and elders.  He stood being falsely accused and answered nothing.  Most of us would have hurled insults back at them, but He stood quietly.  As a lamb led to the slaughter, He opened not His mouth.  One wants to say with Peter, “This shall not happen to You!”  But then where would we sinners be?  “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”  He answered nothing because of us.  Do we thank Him as we ought?  Do we marvel that He would do such a thing?

The scene was quickly becoming a riot and Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair.  He seems to have removed himself from all that was happening, but Jesus was left with the hatred of mankind.  The Roman cohort dressed Him in a scarlet robe and pressed a crown of thorns into His head.  They mocked Him, spat at Him, and struck Him on the head with a reed.  When He was on the cross, those passing by blasphemed Him and wagged their heads.  The chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him.  Even the robbers hanging beside Him reviled Him with the same mockery.  And about the ninth hour, God forsook Him.  The pain that was His at that time was meant for me, for you, for those of us who have sinned. 

Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.  The veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth quaked and the rocks split.  Tombs of saints were opened and the saints came out of their graves after His resurrection.  When the centurion and others guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were frightened.  “Truly this was the Son of God!” 

As I read through this chapter, I saw a day of darkness before me.  Jesus gave Himself for me.  Have I let His death become something unremarkable as I live out my daily life?  Let us marvel once again at the wonderful gift that we have been given at His expense.  Let us ponder anew what it cost Him.  Let us thank Him with hearts full of gratitude.