His Blood Be On Us And Our Children

Matthew 27:24-26
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 27:24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.


Leading up to each Easter Sunday I like to read all four of the gospel accounts of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It is so filled with the details of my Lord's will, love, power, mercy, compassion, holiness, justice, and grace -- it staggers me.

In Matthew 27:24-26 we have one of the most ironic statements in all of scripture. It is a pivotal point leading up to the crucifixion. Pilate is doing everything he can do to try and release Jesus. He doesn't see any reason to have him killed. But, this angry mob of people is out for Jesus' blood, and Pilate is a politician. He won't let righteousness come before his political position. The Jewish religious authorities know that they have Pilate over the proverbial "barrel".

So, Pilate caves in. He is the most powerful man in town, and yet what is on display is his incredible weakness. In fact, what scripture clearly shows is that the least likely person in the entire account is the one with the most power - Jesus. He is arrested, bound, and at the hands of angry men who have his life in their hands -- or do they? No, scripture makes it clear- Jesus is in complete control of this situation. It is His will, His purpose, His power that is at work.

Back to the irony of the crowd...In an act of defiance before this crowd, Pilate brings out a basin of water and washes his hands. He tells the crowd, that they will be held accountable for the death of this innocent man, not him. The crowd responds to Pilate's defiant act of hand washing and declare, "Let his blood be on us and our children!"

You can't hear the tone in that passage, but the language is clear. This is a statement of utter arrogance and derision. But, the content is exactly what Jesus was coming to do!

I always seem to pause at this statement, because I too want to say it. But not in derision, as a humble plea.

This is exactly why Jesus came. This is precisely what He was about to do. Shed his blood for me and my children. He was going to bleed for you and I. For our sins He was going to suffer and die.

Thank You Jesus!

Do you realize how hopeless we would be without the shed blood of Jesus Christ?! It is hard to even describe. We take our sin too lightly to fully appreciate the sacrifice Christ made. He did not take our sin lightly. He freely gave His blood and His life to pay the penalty of my sin.

My prayer is that the Lord would continue to teach me and open my eyes to the depths of my sin and the magnitude of His love displayed on that cross. My prayer is that His blood would be on me and my children. That I would live a life that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected!