Today’s New Testament reading introduces us to one of the most significant occurrences in history: the crucifixion and death of Jesus as recounted by Matthew.
We witness the soldiers and Jews-the very people Jesus came to save-mocking Him. This is the Messiah the one foretold by their prophets, with these prophecies coming to fruition right before their eyes and yet they fail to recognise Him. Jesus cries out, “Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?” drawing their attention to Psalm 22, a messianic psalm that spoke of this moment, but still, they could not see.
Finally, Jesus gives up His Spirit, carrying the weight of the sin of the whole world upon Him, amid many signs and wonders. It is only then they begin to realise who He truly is.
Unfortunately, many are like the Jews; they continuously ignore the wonderful offer of the Gospel, remaining oblivious to its importance. Do you know individuals like that? Continue to pray for them and share the Gospel with them. If you are yet to receive the Gospel, don’t hesitate. Jesus is the Way to eternal life (John 14:6). He could not have endured such a gruesome death only to be one of the ways to God. Believe and be saved.
Today’s reading
Leviticus 13
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest.
The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean…
Matthew 27:27-56
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said…