Deceivers
Submitted by Hunter Grills
October 22, 2024
In Matthew 27, we have the account of the crucifixion of our Saviour. Jesus was brought before Pilate, falsely accused, then hanged on a cross to be crucified.
What we find in reading this account is a group of people who worked together called the Chief Priest and the Pharisees. These individuals conspired against Jesus and actually persuaded the crowd to promote their agenda.
Mt 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
They convinced the multitude to call for the release of the guilty man Barabbas and to crucify the innocent man, Jesus. God allowed them to successfully deceive the people, and Christ was condemned as guilty and was crucified on the cross of Calvary.
The day after the crucifixion, the Chief Priest and Pharisees went together to speak to Pilate because they were afraid someone would deceive everyone else by stealing Jesus’s body. In verse 63 of the chapter, they even call Jesus a deceiver.
Mt 27:62-64 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Here, we have a group of deceivers who call Jesus a deceiver. In essence, they had so much deceit in their hearts that they even thought someone would try to steal the body of Jesus to deceive everyone.
In this example, we learn many things. Jesus was falsely accused, yet He never gave place to wrath. The ones accusing the Truth and His disciples of deception and conspiracy were actually the ones deceiving and conspiring. The reason that they were so concerned of deception was due to the fact they themselves had so much deceit in their own hearts. In order for them to justify themselves, they had to accuse others of doing what they were actually the ones doing.
Jesus Christ is Faithful and True. Although He was falsely accused, He continued steadfast to fulfill His Father’s will. May we as God’s children respond and hold to the truth just as Jesus did.
Consider – Many deceivers spiritualize Jesus’ words even today, trying to set a watch to keep Him in the tomb..
