DELIGHTING in the LORD

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING DAY 1: The Betrayer Matthew 27: Tetelestai / Greek for Paid in Full This is truly a tragic portion of scripture! We see in this portion of scripture the devastating effects of sin in full force and what happens when we turn from Jesus, never allowing Him into our hearts. Judas allowed Satan to use him for evil. Instead of drawing close to Jesus, Judas drew close to the enemy of our souls, Satan. Judas made a decision and then acted upon it. Yet, Jesus washed his feet and at the last supper, gave Judas the left-hand seat of honor. Judas had walked with Jesus, learned from Jesus and stood by Jesus, and yet, He turned over his friend to be arrested and killed. Judas betrayed the one he claimed to follow! But he never really followed Jesus with his heart and life, and sin reigned in him. Finally, Judas is described as having remorse for his action but not desiring forgiveness for his telltale deed. There is a huge difference between being sorry about your sin, and being sorry for your sin. (David Guzik) And because Judas did not turn to Jesus for forgiveness, Judas allowed Satan then to lead him to destroy himself. If you have ever felt the sting of betrayal, rest assured that Jesus knows it too, as we will see as we open Chapter 27 of Matthew. R RECEIVING God s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 27:1-66 Today s Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:1-10 E EXPERIENCING God s Word 1. Matthew 27: 1-2 tell us four things happened to Jesus. Fill in the blanks below based on these verses. A decision was made to. They Him. They lead Him. They handed Him over to, the governor 2. According to verse 3, why was Judas filled with remorse? What was his response? Matthew Chapter 27 Day 1

3. Who did Judas go to with his sin? What was their response in verse 4? How was their response different than what Jesus would have told him? Who alone can forgive sin? 4. There is a very critical word used in verse 4. What word does Judas use to describe Jesus blood? Judas was a man who knew Jesus well, what does this tell you about what Judas witnessed over the years as he followed Him? 5. Luke 22:3 says Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. What do you notice about the connection between Satan entering Judas and Judas actions in verse 5? (Hint: John 10:10 says that Satan comes to rob, kill and destroy.) 6. Matthew 27:6-8, What do the chief priests decide to do with the money Judas threw at them? What hypocrisy do you see in this action? 7. Read Zechariah 11:12-13. How does this fit Matthew 27:9-10? Why does Matthew say the word was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet when it is recorded in Zechariah? i. Some think it could be a copyist error. Perhaps Matthew wrote Zechariah, but an early copyist put Jeremiah instead. ii. Some think that Jeremiah spoke this prophecy and Zechariah recorded it. This may be the word spoken by Jeremiah, but recorded by Zechariah. iii. Some think that Matthew refers to scroll of Jeremiah, which included the book of Zechariah. (David Guzik) Matthew Chapter 27 Day 1

A ACTING on God s Word Judas behavior is something worth examining because when we find people in the Bible who sin we can learn from their mistakes in the hopes of not repeating them. Judas made a series of bad choices. First, he allowed Satan to get his eyes off Jesus and onto wicked desires. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 tells us to take every thought captive. Judas did not do this! Can you think of a time that has happened to you? Next, Judas thoughts moved into actions. In Matthew 26:14-16 we learned that Judas went to the chief priests and asked what he was willing to give him to betray Jesus? He accepted money and then watched for an opportunity to hand him over (v. 16). The opportunity then arose for Judas to do his sinful deed and Matthew recorded it in chapter 26:48 for us. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: the one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Notice how our thoughts can quickly turn into actions! Judas still had a chance to reverse what he put into motion, but he did not! When have your unholy thoughts turned into action either with an attitude or a behavior? What resulted? By morning, Judas was filled with remorse. But he turns to an unlikely source for help, the ungodly who Ied him down a more dangerous path, further away from God. I assume that Judas did not feel like he could turn to Jesus (a trick of the enemy) and therefore took his own life out of desperation regarding his sin. Had Judas humbled himself and turned to Jesus, oh how the outcome could have been so different for Judas! Have you ever felt like you just couldn t take your sin to the Lord? Have you ever been so filled with remorse but, couldn t own up to your sin before the Lord? He is waiting to forgive you if you would only just turn to Him and repent! What have you learned from Judas example of what not to do regarding sin? D DELIGHTING on God s Word Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool, If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Close in Prayer Matthew Chapter 27 Day 1

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING DAY 2: Crucify Him Matthew 27: Tetelestai / Greek for Paid in Full R RECEIVING God s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 27:1-66 Today s Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:11-26 E EXPERIENCING God s Word 1. Where has Jesus been brought in verse 11 and what is asked of Him? How does Jesus respond? 2. Who are the main accusers according to verse 12? They led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate: The Sanhedrin gave Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman appointed governor over Judea, because they did not have the authority to put Him to death. The Jewish leaders had reason to expect a favorable result when they went to Pilate. Secular history shows us that he was a cruel, ruthless man, almost completely insensitive to the moral feelings of others. Surely, they thought, Pilate will put this Jesus to death. Essentially, they did this on the basis of three totally false, politically motivated charges: that Jesus was a revolutionary; that He incited the people to not pay their taxes, and that He claimed to be a king in opposition to Caesar. (Guzik) 3. What was the custom of the governor according to verse 15? What feast is being referred to? Who is Barabbas? 4. Notice something very interesting in verse 18. What does Pilate recognize about the motivation behind those accusing Jesus? What does this say about them that even a disinterested governor recognized this attribute about them? Matthew Chapter 27 Day 2

5. I cannot fail to point out something I read in verse 19 that screams of irony. What seat is Pilate sitting in? Who is standing before Him? What irony do you see? 6. What is the essence of the message Pilate s wife sends to him in verse 19? 7. Can you imagine the scene described in verses 20-23? The influential chief priests and elders persuading the crowd, the shouting of choices given and then the answer that came from the mob what was it? Is Pilate s question in verse 23 ever answered, why or why not? 8. What does Pilate want to avoid according to verse 24? Does he seem to really care about justice? Why or why not? What is his final action and statement regarding Jesus? 9. Probably one of the most disturbing statements in this passage is found in verse 25. What are the people saying and how would it affect the future? 10. In the end the people got what they wanted, what was it? Roman floggings were so horrific that sometimes the person died before they were taken to be crucified. Matthew Chapter 27 Day 2

A ACTING on God s Word By now you have probably noticed that I have quoted David Guzik many times already regarding this chapter. He has a very insightful commentary on Matthew 27! Something he pointed out concerning Barabbas is too good to miss! When the crowd chose Barabbas instead of Jesus, it reflected the fallen nature of all humanity. The name "Barabbas" means son of the father. They chose a false, violent son of the father instead of the true Son of the Father. This prefigures the future embrace of the ultimate Barabbas - the one popularly called the Antichrist. If anyone knew what it meant that Jesus died in their place, it was Barabbas. He was a terrorist and a murderer, yet he was set free while Jesus was crucified. The cross Jesus hung on was probably originally intended for Barabbas. (Guzik) Think about that for a minute. All of us are Barabbas. We all deserved to die for our sin, yet Jesus stepped up and took it all upon Himself for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). But for a minute think about being Barabbas. You hear the crowd screaming Crucify Him! and you are not sure if it is you or someone else they are screaming for. You know you are a criminal and deserve punishment yet, when the guards come to your prison door, they take off your handcuffs, set you free from jail, and take Jesus to the cross instead of you! Wow, what a visual. Let that settle in your heart for a minute. What can you say to Jesus right now? How can you express your thanks, live your life and worship Him because of what He was willing to do for you? D DELIGHTING in God s Word Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJ) Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But 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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Close in Prayer Matthew Chapter 27 Day 2

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING DAY 3: The Precious Lamb of God: Slain Matthew 27: Tetelestai / Greek for Paid in Full I must be honest here and tell you these next 17 verses are my least favorite in the entire Bible. They make me physically sick when I read them. Please know that I am so grateful for what was accomplished on the cross yet my heart breaks when I read what Jesus endured. I cannot stand torture of any kind and the verses we are about to read are laden with it. Everything in me cries out, STOP IT! HE IS INNOCENT! HE IS OUR PRECIOUS MESSIAH, OUR GIFT AND YOU ARE MURDERING HIM! Yet, all of our sin put Him there to endure the ultimate torture because He loves us that much. Chris Tomlin wrote a song entitled Amazing Love and the lyrics say: I m forgiven because You were forsaken, I m accepted, You were condemned. I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me, Because You died and rose again. Amazing love, How can it be That You, my King, should die for me? It is His amazing, remarkable, awesome, incredible, lavish, unconditional, powerful and unending love that I want you to see today! That Jesus thinks you are worth all that He went through so that you could be forgiven through His sacrifice. May that be your focus as you read the words authored by Matthew about our Lord s final hours before his death in Chapter 27. R RECEIVING God s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 27:1-66 Today s Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:27-44 E EXPERIENCING God s Word 1. The Praetorium was in the governor s residence in Jerusalem. Summarize what was done to Jesus according to verses 27-31? 2. Genesis 3:18 is the first mention of thorns in the Bible and they are used in reference to the curse due to sin. What kind of crown was Jesus given? What did it represent with the context of Genesis 3:18 in mind? Matthew Chapter 27 Day 3

As Jesus was led away to be crucified, He was - like all victims of crucifixion - forced to carry the wood He would hang upon. The weight of the entire cross was typically 300 pounds. The victim only carried the crossbar, which weighed anywhere from 75 to 125 pounds. When the victim carried the crossbar, he was usually stripped naked, and his hands were often tied to the wood. (Guzik) 3. Read Matthew 16:24-25. In light of Matthew 27:32 what was Jesus foreshadowing in Matthew 16? What cross are we to take up? 4. Simon of Cyrene was most likely visiting Jerusalem for the Passover as Cyrene is located some 800 miles away from Jerusalem in North Africa. He probably knew nothing about Jesus, however, it is likely that after this encounter he was forever changed! Read Mark 15:21 and Romans 16:13. What do you learn about Simon s son? This is a picture taken when we were in Israel. This is believed to be Golgotha (The Place of the Skull). If you look closely you can see what looks like a face in the rock where Jesus would have been crucified. The actual rock is behind the smaller picture hanging on the post. 5. Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall which was like offering him a pain killing narcotic. Why do you think Jesus refused it? (OPINION QUESTION!) Matthew Chapter 27 Day 3

6. Matthew 27:35 simply says this about Jesus crucifixion, When they had crucified him. Girls, I cannot even begin to put into words the gruesome act stated by those five words. The Bible leaves out the heinous details because the readers of this book in Jesus day would have been all too familiar with what crucifixion entailed. David Guzik states this in his commentary: In 1986, Dr. William Edwards wrote a remarkable article in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association titled "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ." Following are some of the observations of Dr. Edwards and his associates. The quotations belong to the article, and much of the other text is paraphrased from the article. What was it like to be crucified? In days the New Testament was first written, the practice needed no explanation. But we would do well to appreciate just what happened at a crucifixion. "Although the Romans did not invent crucifixion, they perfected it as a form of torture and capital punishment that was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering." The victim s back would first be torn open by the scourging, then the clotting blood would be ripped open again when the clothes were torn off the victim. When thrown on the ground to fix his hands to the crossbeam, the wounds would again be torn open and contaminated with dirt. Then, as he hung on the cross, with each breath, the painful wounds on the back would scrape against the rough wood of the upright beam and be further aggravated. Driving the nail through the wrists would sever the large median nerve - this stimulated nerve would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in both arms, and could result in a claw-like grip in the victim s hands. Beyond the excruciating pain, the major effect of crucifixion inhibited normal breathing. The weight of the body, pulling down on the arms and shoulders, would tend to fix the respiratory muscles in an inhalation state, and hinder exhalation. The lack of adequate respiration would result in severe muscle cramps, which would hinder breathing even further. To get a good breath, one would have to push against the feet, and flex the elbows, pulling from the shoulders. Putting the weight of the body on the feet would produce searing pain, and flexing of the elbows would twist the hands hanging on the nails. Lifting the body for a breath would also painfully scrape the back against the rough wooden post. Each effort to get a proper breath would be agonizing, exhausting, and lead to a sooner death. "Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites. Moreover, it was customary to leave the corpse on the cross to be devoured by predatory animals." Death from crucifixion could come from many sources: acute shock from blood loss; being too exhausted to breathe any longer; dehydration; stress-induced heart attack, or congestive heart failure leading to a cardiac rupture. If the victim did not die quickly enough, the legs would be broken, and the victim would soon be unable to breathe. Can you even imagine what this must have been like for Jesus? Matthew Chapter 27 Day 3

7. Read Matthew 27:35. What happened to Jesus clothes? If they were dividing them among themselves then what was Jesus wearing on the cross? 8. As if Jesus had not endured enough already, in Matthew 27:37,what sign was posted above His head and what was shouted at Him while he hung there? A ACTING on God s Word I can remember when I went to see the movie The Passion of The Christ. There were scenes I just could not watch. I remember looking down into my lap and not being able to endure just watching what was on the screen let alone enduring it in real life. Jesus endured it for real! Our sin was so bad that it required this kind of sacrifice. We talk a lot about the love of God, and that is great, but we also must couple it with the fact that God is just and a payment was necessary to free us from sin. Love kept Jesus hanging on the cross for you and me. He could have come down off the cross at any point, but instead he would do something even more amazing, He would raise Himself to life in just a few days! Write a prayer of thanksgiving for all that you have learned today about the love of God that was endured upon the cross for you. D DELIGHTING in God s Word Psalm 22:14-19 I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws; you have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Close in Prayer Matthew Chapter 27 Day 3

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING DAY 4: Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani? Matthew 27: Tetelestai / Greek for Paid in Full In our passage today we watch the final hours of Jesus life come to a close here on earth. As he lays down His life for us, He experiences one final traumatic pain; the pain of separation from His Father, God. R RECEIVING God s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 27:1-66 Today s Scripture Focus: Matthew 27: 45-56 E EXPERIENCING God s Word 1. What happened from the 6th hour to the 9th hour (noon to 3:00pm) according to verse 45? 2. In verse 46, At the 9th hour what did Jesus say? What was Jesus experiencing that made him say this? In Matthew 27:47-49 It is thought that the bystanders misunderstood Jesus cry of Eloi, Eloi as him calling for Elijah because at that time it was believed that Elijah came in critical times to rescue the righteous. 3. What do we learn in verse 50 about Jesus spirit? So was it taken or was it given up? Why is that important? Read John 10: 17-18 what connection do you see? 4. Some amazing things happen in verses 51-53? Describe what you learn. Matthew Chapter 27 Day 4

5. What does Hebrews 10:20 tell us about our availability to God now that Jesus has died upon the cross for us? Do we need an intercessor (in the Old Testament a Priest) any longer or do we have direct access to God? The inner curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was ripped from top to bottom at the time of Jesus death. This signified Christ making it possible for believers to go directly into God s presence because of the work accomplished on the cross! 6. What did the centurion say about Jesus in verse 54? Truly this was the Son of God! The scene at the crucifixion of Jesus was so striking that even a hardened Roman centurion confessed that this was the Son of God. This man had supervised the death of perhaps hundreds of other men by crucifixion, but he knew there was something absolutely unique about Jesus. The only thing wrong is his verb tense; Jesus is the Son of God. The Roman centurion seems to assume that He was no longer the Son of God. (Guzik) 7. In verses 55 and 56, list the women who cared for Jesus after His death. How were these women connected to Jesus? A ACTING on God s Word If you have ever had a loved one pass away from this life, you can understand how separation feels. On this day, Jesus experienced a separation for the first time from His Father, God. This may have been more excruciating than the physical pain He endured. I cannot imagine separation from God, in essence Hell. God is my refuge and my fortress and the one I trust! Without Him I could not face tomorrow. Jesus not only endured the cross and all of the grisly details of it but He also endured it while separated from God Himself. I cannot even fathom it! Matthew Chapter 27 Day 4

How have you relied heavily upon the Lord in times of distress? How was He there for you? What did you learn about Him as a result of your resting upon Him? D DELIGHTING in God s Word 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Close in Prayer NOTES Matthew Chapter 27 Day 4

The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord s perfections and meditating in his temple. Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING DAY 5: At The Tomb Matthew 27: Tetelestai / Greek for Paid in Full When I went to Israel, one of the highlights was visiting the empty tomb. The Garden Tomb is believed by many, to be the actual burial sight of Jesus. The stone that had been in place is no longer there but instead a door that says He is not here - For He is Risen!! We had communion a stone s throw away from the entrance to the tomb. Such gratitude flooded my heart as I thought about all that Jesus did for me on the cross and then demonstrated His eternal power by raising Himself from the dead! Today we will take a closer look at the events that took place post Jesus death. The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem The door to the entrance of the tomb R RECEIVING God s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 27:1-66 Today s Scripture Focus: Matthew 27:57-66 E EXPERIENCING God s Word 1. What facts do you learn about Joseph of Arimathea in verse 57? Next, read Luke 23:50-51. What additional things are stated about him? Matthew Chapter 27 Day 5

2. In Matthew 27: 59-61, what did Joseph do with Jesus body and who sat watching? 3. Why do the Chief Priests and Pharisees go to Pilate according to verse 63? What is Pilate s response to their concern? 4. In verse 63, what do they call Jesus? After all that you have studied about Jesus in Matthew, why is that term so untrue and derogatory? 5. According to verse 64, what do they think the disciples will do with Jesus? Why? Do you think they are afraid of the disciples or the resurrection power of Jesus Christ? The tomb was secured by a seal, which was an obstacle of human authority. The seal was a rope, overlapping the width of the stone covering the entrance to the tomb. On either side of the doorway, there was a glob of wax securing the rope over the stone. You could not move the rock without breaking the seal. (Guzik) A ACTING on God s Word I believe fear was motivating the Pharisees and Chief Priests and they want to do everything in their power to make sure that Jesus stayed in the tomb. They succeed in killing Him but what they did not seem to recognize was that no power on earth could keep Him in the grave. Matthew Chapter 27 Day 5

Romans 8:11 tells us this, And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. This verse in Romans assures those who are believers in Jesus Christ that we can have the same resurrection power that Jesus had at work in our mortal bodies each and every day! What does the power of Jesus look like in your everyday life? Write a prayer to Him thanking Him that you can do all things through Him and the resurrection power He put inside you through the Holy Spirit! D DELIGHTING in God s Word Luke 24:5-6 but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Close in Prayer Matthew Chapter 27 Day 5