The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Our Lord Tried, Crucified and He is Risen.
Matthew 27 & 28

The Word of God is truly a marvelous and wondrous thing and one can come to "know" how truly marvelous and wondrous it is instead of just "saying" so. For example, if a person will just take the time to read and study the law (our school master) and the prophets, i.e. the Old Testament, and come to know and understand all the things that are written pertaining to Jesus Christ's first advent and crucifixion that must have been fulfilled in Messiah, then as he or she "sees" how precisely all those things came to pass exactly as they were written, it will greatly increase his or her faith... even to the point that it becomes Rock solid and unshakeable for it now is built upon a sure foundation (Heb. 11:1). However, if a person says he or she has faith and believes that the Bible is the Word of God but then goes around either doing his or her own thing or following that which "seems right" (Prov. 14:14, 16:25) according to the traditions of men and their churches, then that person's faith is real shaky and it will not be strong enough to stand upon when "the rains descend and the floods come and the winds blow". That is a word to the wise virgin and a warning to the foolish (Mat. 7:24-26)!

In chapter 26 we learned from Peter's experience the importance of remembering the words of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, in other words "that which is written".That does not mean we must memorize each verse in the Word but rather remember that it is "that which is written" which must and shall come to pass and therefore "that which is written" supercedes all things, even our emotional love and enthusiasm for Jesus Christ. We must therefore be on guard lest we allow Satan to influence the thoughts and emotions of our flesh whereby we fall into temptation, as in "fall to the tempter". Christ told us in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." In other words, if we don't pay attention to "that which is written" and instead do our own thing and lean to our own human understanding, we shall end up denying Christ like as did Peter. So the question is, "Have you heard the "cock crow" in your life regarding "that which is written" to know and understand His power and authority?" Peter sure did and from that point on he became Mr. Itiswritten, a title applicable to all true servants of God.

Let us now continue with our study in Matthew where Jesus has now been betrayed by His friend (as it is written) and has been illegally tried by an illegal nighttime gathering of the Sanhedrin. Of course that assembly did not have the authority to put Jesus Christ to death so they turned to the authority that did, the government of Rome. Keep in mind that we are dealing with a bunch of Kenites, descendents of Cain (Kayin in Hebrew) who was the first murderer (Jn. 8:44).They operate the same way today as they did yesterday in that they turn to the government in order to crucify the Word of God and attempt to destroy any and all vestiges of Christianity from having prayer removed in our schools, to replacing the word "Christmas" with "Holiday", and by seeking to have the Ten Commandments taken down from the walls of the halls of justice, etc., etc. Wake up and smell the stench, dear Christian!

Matthew 27:1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death:

[2] And when they had bound Him, they led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Thayer Definition:  Pontius [Pilate] = “of the sea”
    1) the sixth Roman procurator of Judah who crucified Christ

Thayer Definition:
     Pilate = “armed with a spear”
  1) the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified.

[3] Then Judas, which had betrayeth Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

In fact, is it not written in Mark 13:12 and Luke 21:16 that some of God's elect shall be betrayed by their closest friends and loved ones in these last days?"And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death." Though they do it in ignorance instead of for gain, would you not forgive your loved ones if they repented?

Just so there is no doubt about Judas' repentance, here is his confession... even before the chief priests and elders.

[4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.  And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

[5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

To that end, let us begin our own study of what actually happened to Judas by first using a little wisdom and common sense in discerning what has just transpired. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned (to death) he repented himself for what he had done in betraying an innocent man! He then went back to return the thirty pieces of silver and to confront the "chief priests and elders" in the temple, which we just read about in verse 3, because he now knows that their evil plot all along was to murder Jesus Christ... which they certainly did not deny in verse 4. So after hearing that they could care less that he was sorry for what he had done, Judas cast down those thirty pieces of silver and departed, perhaps storming out of there with "attitude"! Of course the "storming out of there" is just speculation, but regardless of how Judas departed, the chief priests and the elders of the people now have a real problem on their hands because Judas knows what they as "good religious leaders" have conspired to do and they cannot risk having this disciple of Christ going out amongst the people and expose their murderous conspiracy.

Let's go to Acts 1:15-20 where a description is given of what took place when Judas left the temple.

Acts 1:15-20
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Notice now how Peter thinks and speaks throughout this section of scripture. Here he is on that first Pentecost Day:

[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

[17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

[18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Nevertheless, verse 18 causes a problem with Judas hanging himself, all by himself, in that one cannot both hang himself and then slit his guts open to where they fall out. It seems more probable that this was a strangling and then someone cut him wide open as he fell headlong. In any event, those of the churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna who know and understand the ruthlessness of the kenites can more easily understand this than those who are blinded to the traditions of men.

[19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Let's return to Matthew where the chief priests now decide what to do with the thirty pieces of silver thrown back in their wicked faces by a repentant sinner, Judas.

Matthew 27:6
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

[9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

[10] And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

[11] And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked Him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

[12] And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

[13] Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

[14] And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

[15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

So Pilate is going to offer the people a choice of Barabbas or Yahshua!

[16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

notable, episemos, ep-is'-ay-mos, Greek 1978; from Greek 1909 (epi) and some form of the base of Greek 4591 (semaino); remarkable, i.e. (figurative) eminent :- notable, of note.

semaino, say-mah'-ee-no, Greek 4591; from sema (a mark; of uncertain derivative); to indicate :- signify.

Barabbas, bar-ab-bas', Greek 912; of Chaldee origin [Hebrew 1347 (ga'own) and Greek 5 (Abba)]; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite :- Barabbas.

Deut. 30:19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, (two trees) blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Matthew 27:17
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

[18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him.

[19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.

[20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

You "see", this is important because in these last days just before the second advent the religious leaders of the community shall also lead the multitude, the majority of Christians, to choose the wicked one, the spiritually murderous false messiah, and persecute the true servants of Jesus Christ.

Ok, time for the people to choose!

[21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

[22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

[23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

[24] When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

[25] Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

[26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

"The Romans uses a scourge of cords or thongs, made more painful by various expedients which cruelty suggested. Pieces of lead of brass, or small, sharp-pointed bones, were attached to the lashes.

... The victim was stripped to the waist, and bound in a stooping position, with the hands behind the back, to a post or pillar. The suffering under the lash was intense. The body was frightfully lacerated. The Christian martyrs at Smyrna about A.D. 155 were so torn with the scourges that their veins were laid bare, and the inner muscles and sinews, and even the bowels, were exposed (Eusebius Hist. iv. 15)." (Davis Dictionary of the Bible, Baker, pg. 689.)

[27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers.

[28] And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe.

[29] And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

So don't overlook the fact that these are the "soldiers of the nation"! This time they bow the knee in mockery! When He returns at the second advent every person of every nation shall "bow the knee" in complete submission to His authority. What a day that will be!

[30] And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.

[31] And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

[32] And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: Him they compelled to bear His cross.

1 Peter 2:21-25
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:

[22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:

[23] Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously:

[24] Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed.

[25] For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Thank you Father. We love you so much!

Earlier we left off in Matthew 27:32 where Jesus Christ had already been beaten and scourged and mocked and was now being led away to be crucified. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, who Mark tells was the father of Alexander and Rufus, and compelled him to bear His cross. So Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is now making His way up the hill to the place called Golgotha, a place of a skull, to be crucified as the Lamb of God... according the will of God!

Question: What do you suppose was on the mind of Yahshua Messiah as He walked up that hill? Well there is no need to wonder for Luke tells us exactly who and what He had on His mind.

Let's go check it out.

Luke 23:26-28
And as they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

[27] And there followed Him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him.

Remember... Jesus Christ was WILLINGLY doing what He was doing in walking up that hill to be crucified. Why? Read John 3:16! Remember too, that He could have called down twelve legions of angels at any time along the way and made His enemies His footstool right there on the spot! Matthew 26:53 "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" You "see", He did what He did for you and me, because He loves us.

Here is the documentation of what Christ was thinking about as He walked up that hill:

[28] But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

[29] For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Matthew 24:19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Haven't you read?

2 Cor. 11:2-4
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Let us now return to the path where Jesus is about to be crucified.

Matthew 27:33
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

[34] They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.

[35] And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Psalm 22:18
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

[36] And sitting down they watched Him there;

[37] And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Nevertheless, there was an argument between the chief priests of the Jews and Pilate concerning this inscription on the cross. The kenites did not want the inscription to read "The King of the Jews" but rather "I am King of the Jews", i.e. to show that He made the claim He was King of the Jews and not that He was. John records this for us.

John 19:21-22
Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

[22] Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Matthew 27:38
Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

[39] And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads,

[40] And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

[41] Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said,

[42] He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.

[43] He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God.

Psalm 22:8
He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in Him.

[44] The thieves also, which were crucified with Him, cast the same in His teeth.

[45] Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

[46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

[47] Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

Psalm 22:1-31
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

It is written: Hebrews 10:9-10 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

He took away the old covenant of rituals and blood sacrifices and established the new covenant.

[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Psalm 22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

[3] But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

[4] Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

[5]They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

[6] But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

[7] All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying,

[8] He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

[9] But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

[10] I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

[11] Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

[12] Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

[13] They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

[14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

John 19:32-37
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. [33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: [34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. [35] And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. [36] For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. [37] And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Psalm 22:15
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

[16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

[17] I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

[18] They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Here it is:

John 19:23-24
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. [24] They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Psalm 22:19
But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

[20] Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

[21] Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

unicorn, re'em, reh-ame', Hebrew 7214; or re'eym, reh-ame'; or reym, rame; or rem, rame; from Hebrew 7213 (ra'am); a wild bull (from its conspicuousness) :- unicorn.

[22] I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Hebrews 2:12
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

[13] And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Psalm 22:23
Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him, all ye the seed of Israel.

[24] For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from Him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.

[25] My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.

[26] The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

[27] All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

[28] For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and He is the governor among the nations.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Psalm 22:29
All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

Now notice carefully how the Psalm of the crucifixion ends. This once again documents that these last days were on the mind of Jesus Christ for He now speaks of the final generation.

[30] A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

[31] They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.

Also, those of you who have Companion Bibles will note in the margin that the phrase "He hath done this" in Hebrew is equivalent to "It is finished". We therefore have documented in Matthew 27:46 that Jesus Christ spoke the first words of Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?", and we have documented in John 19:30 that Jesus Christ spoke the last words of Psalm 22, "It is finished".

Do you have any doubt that He taught the rest of that Psalm while hanging on the cross? It is no wonder that one of the malefactors was converted right there on the cross beside Him. Next we shall learn even more of what Jesus said on the cross and see more fulfillment of that which is written. How truly remarkable is the Word of God!

The incredible events that transpired just before, during, and after the crucifixion not only happened exactly according to that which was written long ago in the law and the prophets, documenting without a shadow of doubt that Jesus Christ was truly the Messiah, but they also happened to visually teach us on a spiritual level concerning the wonderful works of God and His plan of salvation and redemption. You "see", our flesh eyes cannot see things that are spiritual because those things are invisible to our physical sight. For example, we cannot place an "attitude" under a microscope and examine it, nor can we see words cut like a sword through a man's heart. We can however, see a physical sword slice through a man's heart or body and we can physically see people taken prisoner and made captives, and so it is for our admonition and understanding (1 Cor. 10:11) we were given types and ensamples to see with our flesh eyes, like the king of Babylon and his army which came against Israel and slaughtered many and took captive our people, so that we can "see" and understand the magnitude of the spiritual captivity and spiritual desolation that takes place during the spiritual warfare of these last days by the king of Babylon of Revelation, that abominable one who comes and stands in the holy place wielding his sword of lies and claiming to be God while making desolate the souls of men.

The point to all this is that the things we are reading about surrounding the crucifixion have great significance and meaning and are given by our Father to teach us if we will simply take the time to prayerfully study and get to know Him through His Word instead of listening to the voice of the multitude and following after the traditions of men.

Let's take this next event we read of in our study of Matthew as an example.

Matthew 27:48
And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink.

John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

You "see", Jesus did NOT say "I thirst" because He was thirsty, as is so commonly taught by the blind and the Biblically illiterate. In fact, Jn. 19:28 tells us exactly WHY He said "I thirst"... "that the scripture might be fulfilled"! That scripture is Ps. 69 so let's go there and read a few verses beginning in verse 20.

Psalm 69:20-22
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

[21] They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

[22] Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

1 Peter 2:7-9
Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

[8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Let us return to Matthew 27 where it is now just about time for the greatest event and act of love in the history of the world to take place... and praise God for it! Darkness, which began at the sixth hour (12 PM) and lasted until the ninth hour (3 PM), now covered the land. There were people standing around who had heard Jesus cry out "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" but they did not understand what He said. In other words, they did not know that He was quoting from Ps. 22:1 just as many today do not know, showing that there was and still is great ignorance and lack of understanding surrounding His words and the things that He did!

Matthew 27:49
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.

[50] Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Now here's what happened when He departed the flesh.

[51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

(1) The veil was rent in two from the top to the bottom thus opening up from heaven above, the Holy of Holies. This means we can now approach the throne of our heavenly Father without going through any flesh priest, for there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), and that one is Jesus Christ who now sits at His right hand. That means if you have a need or a prayer request you can take it directly to Him. And you know what else? You do not need to call an 800 number nor pledge $30 a month nor show yourself approved to some would-be holier-than-thou confessor.

Also, this renting of the veil to the Holy of Holies occurred at 3:00 PM, which was the time when the priest was preparing the sacrifice in the temple. That means that Caiaphas, the wicked high priest and chief kenite, would have been present at this time and the look on his face when that huge veil was rent would most definitely have been a Kodak moment!

(2) The earth did quake, and we will read in verse 54 that the centurion and those who were with Him who were watching Jesus, feared greatly because of the earthquake and the events that were taking place and thus they knew that Jesus was truly the Son of God. And so shall it be when He returns at the second advent! There shall also be a great earthquake, a shakeup of all the earth, and all shall behold Him and know that He is the Son of God and the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

(3) The rocks rent. Consider this also a type and a reminder to those who have taken heed to what Christ told us in Mat. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 concerning the stones... that there would not be one stone left standing atop another when He returns.

[52] And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

1 Cor. 15:54
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Cor. 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:18-20
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

[19] By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

[20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Matthew 27:53
And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

John 5:28-29
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,

[29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Matthew 27:54
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

[55] And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him:

[56] Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Here is Mark's account:

Mark 16:9-11
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,out of whom he had cast seven devils.

[10] And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.

[11] And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Mark 16:14
Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.

Matthew 27:57
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

Now here's a question many have asked and wondered about: "Where was Jesus between the age of 12 when He was last seen in the temple and age 30 when He reappeared to begin His ministry, because there no Biblical record of His whereabouts?"If you still wonder about this, then obtain a copy of "The Traditions of Glastonbury", by E. Raymond Capt, which talks about the many trips the young lad and His mother took to England with their uncle.

Nevertheless, the close kinsman relationship of Joseph to Jesus Christ is one of great importance for it was the fact that Joseph was a close relative to Jesus that gave him the right by law, the law of "kinsman redeemer", to claim the body of Jesus from the Roman government, else Pilate would never have released it to him.

[58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

[59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

[60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Isaiah 53:9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

[61] And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

[62] Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

[63] Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

[64] Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

The ironic part about all this is that their very own guards that they employ to make sure no one comes and steals Christ's body, gives a second witness along with the other guards to the fact that nobody did! In other words, Christ's own enemies give witness and credibility to His resurrection.

[65] Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

[66] So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Rejoice greatly and shout for joy, for all the many promises of God written in the law and the prophets declaring that He would send the greatest gift ever there was to mankind came to pass exactly as it was written.

Zech. 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout (for joy), O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Romans 6:23 "... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Now we'll conclude this great Book of Matthew which ends with a set of instructions for those who have come to know Him and love Him through His Word by following those things that are written. Turn to the Book of John and listen carefully to what Christ told His disciples.

John 14:15-23
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

[16] And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;

[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

---

John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

[22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, andwe will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Let us now begin our study of Matthew 28 which completes the great Book of Matthew. The crucifixion, burial, and resurrection have now taken place and Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (see Mark 16:1) have come to see or gaze upon the sepulcher.

Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.

Matthew 17:6-9
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

[7] And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

[8] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Now, let's return to Matthew 28 where the Angel of Lord has appeared and rolled back stone. Remember there were guards (keepers), even those sent by the chief priests (kenites), who were watching over the tomb to make sure that no one came and took the body. In so much as Jesus did not "touch" those "keepers", when they saw the supernatural, i.e. the Angel of the Lord whose "countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow", they were so frightened (shaken) that they fainted, as in passed out!

Matthew 28:4
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[6] He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Luke 24:2
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

[3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

[4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

And so these two men in shining garments are now going to teach and remind them concerning the words which were already spoken in their ears by Jesus Christ Himself.

[5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

[6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee,

Matthew 28:7
And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.

[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word.

[9] And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.

[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Meanwhile as the disciples are seeking the living Christ, the kenites are busy trying to keep Him dead and buried!

[11] Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

If in fact the guards told them the truth instead of making up some story to save their necks (militarily speaking, if a guard fell asleep on his watch it meant the death penalty), they could ill afford to have a story about an angel appearing, etc., etc., begin to circulate around for it would certainly lend credibility to the disciple's claim that He was resurrected according to His Word. Then too, the problem becomes even more complicated if the knowledge that the guards fell asleep on their watch ever got back to the governor, because he would surely have them court-martial and executed.

So, the good religious leaders of the people will simply resort to bribery and pay off the soldiers with large sums of money to make it worth their while to take the risk of being court-martialed and go LIE for them! Praise be to god who comes to their rescue... the gods of gold and silver that is!

[12] And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Here is the lie the soldiers were to spread in return for the big bucks they received from the coffers of the temple.

[13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.

[14] And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

Ah! But the love of money can surely cloud one's thinking...

[15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Rev. 3:9 (Philadelphia)
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Rev. 2:9 (Smyrna)
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Matthew 28:16
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

[17] And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted.

John 20:19-23
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

[20] And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

[22] And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Amos 8:11-13
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

[12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

[13] In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.

Ezekiel 37:1-5
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

[2] And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

[3] And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

Here is what Ezekiel was commissioned to do:

[4] Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

[5] Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

To that end, if there is one thing you should have learned from your study of the Book of Matthew, it is that which is written in the following verse.

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Here are Christ's own words:

John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth (makes alive);the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Amen... which means "You can count on it! So be it! It's a sure thing!"

Thank you Father for your wonderful gift to us!

We repeat - You "see", Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is that door that leads to life!

John 14:15-23 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
[16] And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
[21]He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
[22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.