Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
25. The Holy One was Crucified Between Two Robbers (Matthew 27:35-38)
MATTHEW 27:35-38
35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots, 36 and they sat and watched him there. 37 They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 38 Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. (John 19:24, Isaiah 53:12)
The pen shivers and the mind stops, when we remember how mortal men crucified the Son of God. We are all guilty, wicked, ignorant, and merciless. If you had been present, would you have prevented the soldiers from nailing Him to the cross? Would you have put yourself in His place? Because we are all selfish, rarely is anyone willing to die for another. Only Christ was pure Love, ready to suffer and die for others. Our hearts are cold and dead, but He died to grant us life and fill us with His love.
The soldiers were not very concerned about those they crucified. Their only concern was their gain. Because Christ’s garment was made of a solid piece of fabric, it would lose value if it was divided. Therefore, they agreed to keep it in one piece and cast lots for it. They did not know that this garment was no ordinary one but was the seamless cloth of the high priest. As Jesus hung on the cross to atone for all mankind, He prayed His great intercessory prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Pilate mocked the Jews and set a title over the head of the Crucified One announcing the official judgment against Him: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The elders of Israel complained to Pilate that they did not recognize Jesus as their King, and objected to what Pilate had written. No king of theirs would ever be hung between two robbers, they insisted. Nevertheless, the soldiers hung Jesus in the middle, for that is the place for the chief. Doing so symbolized that the king of the Jews was the head of all criminals.
Some objectors say that Christ was not crucified in person, and that Judas, the traitor, was crucified in His place. They claim that God put the features of the Son of Mary on Judas’ face and put the features of Judas on Christ’s face. They guess that the Romans were confused and crucified the traitor instead of the righteous Christ.
Those who believe the above story are wrong, because Scripture confirms that Judas hanged himself and was buried even before Christ was nailed to the cross. If what they say had really happened, then Judas would have cried, defended himself, and clarified to the soldiers that he was not the Son of Mary, but the traitor. It becomes clear from these facts that this claim is a fable that is not historically true according to the proofs and confirmations of eyewitnesses.
Also, the mother of Jesus stood beneath the cross. Do you think she watched the death of Judas, unable to distinguish between the traitor and her son? The invented story of the crucifixion of Judas instead of Christ is a lie.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, the nails that pierced Your hands and feet should have pierced my hands and feet. For the sake of Your great love, You made me free and safe. You bore my guilt and my punishment, and You justified me. I do not know how to thank You. Help me to be sanctified by Your Holy Spirit, live according to Your commandments to glorify Your name, and expect Your soon return.
QUESTION:
- What are the principle reasons for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ?