Journey to Jerusalem Day 45

Good Friday, April 10 Matthew 27:11-31
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

Less than a week prior, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey, the crowds were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) However, now they shout, “Crucify him!” When all the people cried out, “His blood be on us and on our children,” they were taking responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus.
And yet, when we read those stinging words, “His blood be on us and our children,” don’t we find comfort in them? Of course! Because that is exactly why Jesus died on the cross—so that His blood would be on us and our children. That through His blood, and only through His blood, we have redemption of our sins.
So, we proclaim with them, “Let His blood be on us and our children!” The difference, however, is that when we say these words, we are proclaiming Christ as our Lord and Savior, whereas they were rejecting Jesus as the Christ, their Messiah. Yet, we too are responsible for His death on the cross, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Let us give thanks to Jesus who gave His blood for us, His life on the cross for us, that we may be covered in His blood, redeemed by the Good Shepherd, selflessly giving of Himself as God Himself that we might have eternal life.
The perfect sacrifice. For me and for you, and for our children.

We lift our eyes toward heaven, to Jesus, our Savior and King, and we lay ourselves humbly at the foot of the cross. Thank You, Jesus. May Your blood be on us and our children. Now and forevermore. Thank You, Jesus!