“So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”  For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over” (Matthew 27:17-18).

Covetousness runs deep in the sinner.  I do not have; and I want.  Pride comes in and even if I cannot have it, I do not want you to have it.  This is one of the conditions of sin.  This has played out in every generation.  Jesus came to overcome these things so that we can learn how life is meant to be lived.  We do not live for ourselves.  If we do, we remain separated from the Lord.  If you live, live then for the Lord.

Lord, I belong to You.  You created me.  You placed me in my circumstances with the gifts You have given me.  You have called me to humbly submit to You, my Creator.  In You alone, the author of all life, life is to be lived the way it is meant to be lived.  Take me out of the life of the sinner to learn from You how to live a life that brings me to eternal life.  Lead me toward the upward way, away from the sin of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  By Your grace alone is there hope, for You alone have overcome sin.  By Your death and resurrection, You have made it possible for me to follow You.  Lead me on the narrow way so that I may leave behind the coveting and pride of this age to become more like You and learn how to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Amen.

“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.  At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas” (Matthew 27:15-16).

Justice may sometimes happen in this world, but then again, sometimes the notorious walk free.  True Justice is in the hands of the Lord alone.  Only in Him is there equity.  This world is neither just, nor equitable.  Any cry for such things acts as though sin does not exist.  You know better.  Look to the Lord who is the source of all justice.  He alone can and will provide; and He will judge everyone after the last day.

Lord, this world cries for justice and they do not find it because justice is found in You alone.  In You is the hope that all long for.  The world keeps seeking it, trusting in rulers, and this leads to tyranny.  The wicked go free and the innocent are trapped.  But You, Lord, set us free.  Though our remaining years may be in prison, in the Lord we are free.  Though we are free in this world, without the Lord, we are in prison.

Lord Jesus, You went through all of this for the sake of those who would follow You.  Help me to see clearly that You alone are the One who can and will set me free from the insanity of this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You in all Your ways.  Lead me today and each day You give me so that I may learn from You how to live as one who is free in You.  Open my eyes so see more clearly.  Amen.

“Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”  And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed” (Matthew 27:13-14).

How does one answer the insanity of this world which wants to deny Jesus no matter what?  Sometimes the only way is to remain silent.  The world does not want to believe the truth.  But what about you?  Will you come into truth and live a life that has been redeemed?  Will you follow the One who laid down His life so that You may take up that life and live eternally with the One who made you?

Lord, the mystery of this is great.  You have done all of this for the sake of those who will believe in You.  So great is Your love that You were willing to pay a price that none of us can truly comprehend.  Guide the faithful so that we walk with You, our Savior and Redeemer.  Let us not stand back in amazement but bow humbly in love and learn to be thankful for what You have done.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for bearing the brunt of the anger and hatred of this wicked world for my sake.  In great love You have persevered through death into life.  Lead me so that I may humbly follow where You lead.  Guide me so that I may walk in the way of life that is pleasing to the Father.  Help me to be thankful and rejoice that You have made Yourself known to me, my Lord and God.  In the privilege You have given me, teach me Your ways.  Amen.

“Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”  And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer” (Matthew 27:11-12).

People are still questioning and trying Jesus.  They are asking who He is, and some want to blot Him out.  The world does not want to deal with God showing up.  But what about You?  You can ignore Him, or you can fall to Your knees and call Him Lord and God.  This has always been the choice before each person.  In great love, He has come to lead all who believe into an eternity with Him.

Lord, I am unable to fathom what You go through each day with the people who continue to put you on trial.  But You have done all of this for our sake.  Guide me into the life You are offering so that I humbly walk in the way of everlasting life.  You are the King of kings.  Though those around me may not realize it yet, let me walk knowing that You are the Lord of all.

Lord Jesus, You have gone through pains beyond my ability to comprehend so that I may have the opportunity to walk in Your love.  Guide me today that I may humbly bow to You, my Redeemer who has saved me from eternal condemnation.  Guide me on the upward path to humbly follow You, knowing that whatever it costs me, You have born the brunt of the affliction.  In gratitude, help me to thankfully respond to Your call.  Amen.

“Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me” (Matthew 27:9-10).

Our God knows all things.  The beginning and the end are in His view.  He knew what would happen and told us so that we might believe.  Sinners may sell off God in their hearts for trinkets (which He made), but the faith He gives you is the most precious thing, for it leads to life itself.  Evil begets death.  God offers life through the One who was handed over to death.  But God is good, and death cannot reign.

Lord, in the mysteries of this life, help me to better understand the gift of faith which You have given me.  Guide me in my daily living to humbly recognize all the places in Your word where You are speaking to me clearly and succinctly.  Help me, Lord Jesus, so that I may walk with You now and forever in the true and real life You give by grace.  Your word speaks truth.  Where else can I go but to You?

Lord Jesus, sinners do dumb things.  Your word has spoken truth in order that I may know You, who is Truth Incarnate.  No price can be set on Your head, for all things have come into being through You.  In You, all things are being made new.  Guide me in the life of faith which You have given me that I may grow each day into Your likeness.  Teach me now and always to live in Your love.  Amen.

“And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.  For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day” (Matthew 27:7-8).

The word in Hebrew that is used here, ‘field of blood,’ is the same as that which is used in the commandment, Thou shalt not murder.  The taking of innocent blood is a curse.  Judas betrayed Jesus and was a part of His murder.  There have been many killing fields throughout history, but this is the one that records that our Lord was murdered for our sake.  The final answer always belongs to God.  Christ was resurrected.

Lord, in the mystery of life and death, You move us forward on the time-line that is in Your hands.  Guide us, Lord, so that we humbly submit to You, the One who knows all things.  Lead us into the life You give so that we may humbly walk the path You have set before each of us.  Even if we are betrayed by others, help us to see that You cannot, nor will You, ever betray the faithful, for Your word is eternally true.

Lord Jesus, into Your hand I commend all that I am.  Take me through the journey of salvation so that I may be completed by You.  Guide me every step of the way in order that I may learn from You not only how to live the life I have here and now but also be prepared for the eternal life that You have set before me.  Teach me Your way of love and compassion so that I reflect what You give to all whom I meet.  Amen. 

“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood” (Matthew 27:5-6).

Disgusted, he threw the money away.  It is as if Judas was asking himself why he did it.  The pharisees, always thinking legally, treated the money as if it were tainted rather than thinking it was their souls that were tainted.  They were not thinking the way the Lord would have us think.  They went through the motions utterly lost in their sin.  At every point, we are offered grace to move out of sinning and into learning how to live a life of obedience.

Lord, I see clearly that You are not in the business of condemning us.  The law, strict as it is, has already done that.  You offer us every opportunity to repent, get out of ourselves and learn how to obey Your perfect will.  I cling to what is temporary and do not cling to You who are eternal.  Take me from where I am to where I need to be so that I may walk in the promise of Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, for all these things You went to the cross in order to free me from myself.  Continue the journey with me so that I may run the race and finish the course You have set before me.  Let me not become despondent or so self-absorbed that I take matters into my own hands, but lead me out of myself to learn humility and willing obedience to all that You set before me.  Amen.

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” (Matthew 27:3-4)

We may have remorse in our lives, but does it drive us to repentance; or is it one more element of disappointment that reminds us that we are not in control?  Judas betrayed God.  He was used, just as this world uses many, but every opportunity to repent was rejected.  The world says, “What is that to us?”  The Lord desires that we repent and receive His grace.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Lord, You know all things.  You know how all of this will play out.  Lead me Lord so that I neither betray You, nor refuse to repent when caught in sin.  You give every opportunity, so help me to take every opportunity that You give.  Lead me out of this world’s way of thinking so that I may put on the mind of Christ.  Help me every step of the way and let my eyes look to You as the source of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have been betrayed by us all.  Time and again, You offer grace, asking us to repent and turn to You.  Guide me in the way You would have me go so that I live according to the goodness and mercy that You give.  Help me every step of the way so that I walk in Your ways and not according to what I may want or even think.  Lead me in the way of salvation, whatever that may take and whatever that may mean.  Amen.

“Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor” (Matthew 27:1-2).

The world has lived the lie that if they could get rid of God, they could do what they want.  People pretend He is not here.  Others ignore Him.  Here, they plot to crucify Him.  Be rid of the reality and live the illusion.  But this is neither true, nor sustainable.  The Creator and Sustainer of the universe IS and He will bring all things together for good for those who love Him.  The Father’s will shall be done.

Lord, there is such sadness in this world where there are so many who deny You and even reality itself.  But You have called me into light and life.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of living that is right so that I dwell in Your presence always.  You, who went to the cross for my sake, have come into my life to lift me out of the rebellion and illusions of this age.  Lead me, Lord, to do the Father’s will, no matter what it may be.

Lord Jesus, I am barely able to grasp Your willingness to go through the trial and condemnation for my sake, yet You did.  Help me to meet the trials and tribulations that will come my way so that I too am willing to live the life of faith You have given me by grace, no matter what may come.  Hold me steadfastly to the narrow way of truth, and lead me now and always according to the Father’s will.  Amen.