Morning Moments

THE KILLING OF THE KING

Matthew 27:27-37

The eyes of the world watched as John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 during a parade in Dallas, Texas. Many of us who are old enough to remember know exactly what we were doing at that precise moment. His death was indeed a tragedy, but he obviously never knew what hit him. Since that fateful winter day much has been revealed about him regarding the deficiency of character of this 35th President of the United States.

Such discovery has never been the case with Him who died the cruelist of deaths over 2,000 years ago. In all these decades NO ONE has failed to come to the same conclusion of Pilate who delivered Him to be crucified - "I find no fault in this man".

The crucifixion of Jesus was the climax of redemptive history and the focal point of God's plan of salvation. God's redeeming work culminated in the cross where the wickedness of man reached its peak. It was murder in the first degree committed in the most wicked and humiliating way ever. The death was not sudden, but slow. It was not accomplished by a lone gunman or several in a crossfire but by a race of rebels who consented to the Killing of the King and a confirmation of the need of His death. If we are honest, each of us can find ourselves in the crowd who witnessed His death that day.

1. There were the Sarcastic Soldiers -
Who Sought to Embarrass Him - 27:27-28
Who Sought to Exasperate Him - 27:29-37
2. There were the Cruel Criminals
Who Rejected the Law of God - 27:38
Who Railed at the Lamb of God - 27:44
3. There was the Mocking Multitude -
Who Critized Him - 27:39
Who Challenged Him - 27:40

BUT GOD caused tragedy to triumph, for the death of Jesus accomplished more than any other death ever accomplished - it purchased our redemption. And the best was yet to come when on the third day this One who was so brutally mistreated was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Amen and Amen!

Blessings!