In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Matthew 27:41-43
Dear HBIC Family,
One of the ways I was taught to read and understand Scripture was to look for and value repetition. When things are repeated, it will indicate significance. When things are repeated, they are worth remembering. The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus and Deuteronomy. The books of Kings and Chronicles tell many of the same stories, one with more of a historical bend (Kings), and one to inspire hope after the Israelites returned home from exile in Babylon (Chronicles).
In our current sermon series, we are looking at how God has been revealed to us in the New Testament. We are blessed to have a God who wants to be known and is intentional about revealing who he is to us. God also calls us to remember. Remembering what God has revealed to us helps us today and with all that we currently face. It helps us know that God is here in the present with us. It helps us to know that our God who has been faithful in the past is our God who will be faithful to us in the future.
This week, we’ll be continuing the second half of our Remembrance series by returning to Calvary to remember where God saved us. We will be focused on Matthew’s account of what happened on Calvary’s tree. To prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on Matthew 27. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What do you think of Judas’ deep remorse at his betrayal?
Why do you think Pilate listened to the crowd and condemned Jesus?
What are things that we do that mock Jesus and his sacrifice for us?
What are the places in this passage that show Jesus’ trust in God?
What are places in your life that God is calling for your trust?
Jesus died on Calvary’s tree. In so doing, Jesus proved to us that his blood that he shared matters more than the blood that flows in our veins. Jesus’ sacrifice proves God’s love for the world and God’s plan to redeem all the world. Jesus at Golgotha reminds us that our God makes shalom possible, conquers sin and death forever, and that salvation has come.
Where God saved us is where God saved Abraham’s one and only son, Isaac. Where God saved us is where the temple was erected; that same temple was to be a house of prayer for all nations and a light for all of the world. Where God saved us is Golgotha and Calvary. Where God saved us is where the Spirit met us, where Jesus redeems us, and where our God and Father says, “you are free, free, free indeed.”
God bless you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Matthew 27:41-43)