Judas' Worldly Sorrow (Matthew 27:1-10)

Lost and Found (Luke 15)

Luke 15 contains three stories of lost things - a sheep, a coin, and two sons. Jesus told the stories to two very different audiences. We will explore how Jesus used the stories to reveal the way God extends His mercy and grace to all who would receive these gifts. The third story has no conclusion. It was as if Jesus was offering an invitation, hoping for a response from both audiences ... and from us!

The Death of Christ (Matthew 27:45-56)

The death of Jesus is among the most discussed event in all of Christianity. So much so that it can normalize this event leading to a possible desensitization. In these verses, Matthew attempted to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the rightful King of Israel. Written in the 50s-60s AD, the Gospel aimed to solidify the faith of early believers and provide a cohesive account of Jesus’s teachings and life. The book emphasized how Jesus fulfilled over 60 prophetic passages from the OT confirming that He was the “Son of God,” “Son of David,” and the “Son of Abraham” – the Messiah.

The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:27-44)

In this passage, Jesus is mocked, beaten, and crucified by Roman soldiers and hostile crowds. Though He possesses all authority and power, He willingly endures humiliation and suffering in order to accomplish the Father's plan of redemption. The mocking reveals the depth of human sin, while the cross reveals the depth of God's love and the cost of our salvation. Jesus remains faithful to His mission, bearing the punishment we deserved so that sinners might be reconciled to God.

Jesus Takes Barabbas' Place (Matthew 27:15-26)

In this passage, the guilt of every person involved is exposed: Pilate refuses the truth, the religious leaders reject their Messiah, and the crowd chooses Barabbas over Christ. Yet in the middle of humanity’s sin and rebellion, we see the beauty of the Gospel: the guilty go free because the innocent Savior takes their place. In this sermon, we will explore how people attempt to avoid or silence their guilt, while pointing to Jesus as the only One who can truly bear our sin and provide forgiveness, freedom, and hope.

Jesus is Silent before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14)

As Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, falsely accused and facing death, His remarkable silence reveals His complete trust in the Father’s sovereign plan. While the chief priests rage with accusations and Pilate marvels at His composure, Jesus refuses to defend Himself, willingly submitting to the path that would lead to the cross. As we behold Christ in His suffering, we are challenged to trust God in our own trials, entrusting ourselves to the One who judges justly and rules over all things according to His perfect plan.