Matthew 27:44 says that the two thieves insulted Jesus.
This detail is similar in the gospel of Mark. In the gospel of John, the two thieves are just mentioned as being there. However, in Luke's gospel we get the memorable story of the penitent thief.
Why do you think this detail was left out of the other three gospels?
The very last part of Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20), the great commision was something that was discussed in last weeks sermon and I enjoyed the indepth study of the four commissions given to us after Jesus is raised from the dead. He proclaims His power over all things in heaven and earth and tells us that we are to go, make disciples , baptize, and teach Jesus' commandments. It's a great reminder that we are called to do more than just survive our busy routines, maintain the staus quo with a little "Jesus time" on Sundays, and basically "hang out" in this world.
We all know that He (Jesus) had do have someone "sell him out" and I can't even imagine what that felt like to Jesus knowing that he would be betrayed by the people who knew Him best. Who walked with Him and followed Him. It makes the silly things that people do that offend us, pale in comparison. A perfect man that walked the earth for thirty some years, that never did anything wrong, yet was falsely accused, betrayed, beaten, and died a shameful death on a cross. He knew all of this was going to go down, that Peter would betray Him, but did not waver, He paid the price for such a messed up people, what an amazing picture of love!
I don't know about you, but I had a hard time reading all of this.
Doesn't this raise the question of how we can be so unwilling to forgive others when He did all of this for us? The grudges that everyone holds over petty stuff that does not even matter.
My favorite verse is the last one...one of such amazing comfort...Matthew 28:20
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"
the combined efforts of Matthew and Holly Heirendt :-)
1 comment:
Thanks for your insight Matt and Holly. I actually didn't remember that the thieves insulted him because we do hear about the account you mentioned. I had remembered them questioning his authority but to picture them hurling insults at him brings a different picture to mind...I guess the term "insults" could be taken in different ways.
I also think the fact that Judas returned the money and then killed himself is just more proof of Christ's divinity. Before he dies, he claims that Christ was innocent. Since they were all accusing Jesus of falsely claiming to be the son of God, Judas seems to be saying that he believed he truly was and was confident enough in that fact to react the way he did.
During he crucifixion, I picture Christ as being so humble and not returning any of their insults but relying so heavily on His father that He "keeps his cool" knowing that in 3 days his resurrection will be the only rebuttal needed.
The other thing that stuck out to me was the account of what happened the moment Jesus died. I had known about the curtain in the temple being torn, but did not realize that the bodies of past holy people were raised from the dead. Is there any indication anywhere of who or how many? What was their purpose and did they remain alive? I really have so many questions regarding that passage but found that the other gospels did not even mention it.
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