Matthew 27:21-23 Let Him Be Crucified!
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: September 13, 2019 Matthew 27:21-23
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
(Understanding the Text) This was a day of wrong decisions for a lot of people. The chief priests and leaders of the Jews had already chosen to rebel against the God of heaven, Pilate was about to choose to condemn to death a man that he knew to be innocent, and many of the residents of the city of Jerusalem were in the process of choosing a leader who advocated political change over a leader who had made them examine their own lives and see the emptiness inside. However, they would all receive a second chance after Jesus’ resurrection when He would finally be fully revealed as the Messiah. Many of them would still reject Him because He did not fit into their plans for their lives.
(Revelation of God) One of the second chances that the people and leaders would receive was on the Day of Pentecost. In Peter’s speech to the Jews gathered to see what the commotion was about, Peter laid the death of Jesus at their door, but he also gave them the message of forgiveness. “‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.’ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 2:36-38). God is a God of second chances. He is doing everything He can to give us life, regardless of how many chances He has to give. When we harden our hearts enough so that we cannot be reached, He knows and accepts our decision, but as long as there is a chance to get us to choose Him, He will continue to keep trying to reach us.
(Application / Prayer) The people were incited by their leaders to choose rebellion against God. The leaders of a country or of a religion can sway the masses, but I have to make sure that they do not sway me into rebellion against God. I pray to serve You and not betray You, but I am weak and stupid. I need Your help to make the right choices.