Ultimate Destruction

Matthew 27:20

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

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Up to this point, the story of Jesus has been barreling toward tragedy, yet without a certain doom. There was still a chance that Jesus could be rescued, could come out of this conflict at the last minute and achieve some kind of physical victory. But, in this verse I think, there is a point of no return. The people have made their judgment. The Son of God was to be destroyed.

Two things strike me about this passage.

(1) The most pivotal moment in all of history, the most important choice any crowd has ever made, all hinged upon the persuasion of a few envious old men who happened to be positions of religious authority. This highlights the incredible power that is held by those in official positions of authority. People look to them for guidance and often follow their lead, no matter how counterintuitive. And, this is especially so for religious leaders. What an awesome responsibility that can be so easily used for evil. It is only fitting that teachers would be judged by God with greater scrutiny (James 3:1). Of course, let us be clear, that the decision of the crowd to destroy Jesus was not just the result of chaos and chance and human will. Mysteriously, but truly, the plan of God Almighty was unfolding through the persuasion and choices of these envious and cowardly men (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28).

(2) There was a greater destruction taking place here than any of these people realized. It was greater than the unjust murder of a righteous man.

The real destruction that took place here was the destruction of Death and the wall of separation between God and man.

The Pharisees themselves bring up this truth as they are mocking the dying Jesus. "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself!" (27:40). Did the Pharisees really not understand that Jesus had made this earlier claim in reference to his own body? No, the Pharisees knew deep down what Jesus had meant; they prove it themselves in verse 63, when they explain Jesus' claim to rise from the dead as a reason to guard the tomb! Amazing. And sad.

No, the real destruction that took place here was the end of Death and the wall of separation. The curtain was torn in two. Men long dead began to rise from their tombs and walk the earth again. All that stood in the way between God and man, generations of sin and rebellion, centuries of attempts to bridge the gap through animal blood sacrifice, all of this was done away with in one stormy night on a hill outside Jerusalem. What the Jewish priests had failed to do for years (cleanse the people of their guilt) Jesus here accomplished, "by the power of an indestructible life" (Heb 7:16). His body was destroyed, but truly it was indestructible. What was really obliterated was something far more astounding. And, as we will see, the morning of the resurrection will bring a picture of what is offered to us as well: new life, a new earth, and an eternity in the presence of our Maker.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?

(1 Cor 15:54-55)