Today's sermon from Matthew 27:27-31 examines the passage in Matthew 27:27-31 where Roman soldiers mock Jesus by dressing him in royal garments, crowning him with thorns, and paying him false homage before leading him to crucifixion. The preacher explores several interconnected themes that reveal the deeper significance of this humiliating episode in Christ's passion.
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
The central premise of the message is that "appearances can be deceiving." The soldiers saw Jesus as a phony king deserving mockery, but in reality, he was the legitimate King of kings. Christians are called to "live by faith, not by sight," trusting God's Word rather than being misled by worldly appearances. What appeared to be Christ's defeat was actually God's plan unfolding for salvation.
The World's Hatred for Christ's Kingship
The mockery arose from a fundamental rejection of Christ's kingship. The soldiers could respect earthly authority but found Christ's claims laughable. This hostility toward Christ's authority continues today as biblical Christianity is viewed as "superstitious, irrational, outdated, outmoded, discriminatory, and intolerable" by unbelievers. The world hates that Christ "calls every knee to bow and every tongue to confess him as Lord and Savior alone."
Worldly Glory vs. True Glory
The passage illustrates the contrast between worldly glory (focused on outward appearances) and true glory (found in Christ). The soldiers' actions—clothing Jesus in scarlet, crowning him with thorns, placing a reed in his hand—emphasize their valuing of image over substance. In today's terms, the preacher notes that the world prioritizes "image and identity without truth, without reality, without integrity, without righteousness," while Christ values transformation from the inside out.
The Self-Portrait of Fallen Humanity
Ironically, in mocking Jesus, the soldiers unwittingly created a portrait of fallen humanity. Humans were created to be "viceroys" or "regents" representing God's authority on earth, but through Adam's sin, we became "phony kings and queens" deserving mockery and the curse symbolized by the crown of thorns. The profound message is that Christ—the only one who didn't deserve humiliation—willingly bore it for us. The "righteous for the unrighteous" demonstrated the depth of his love and God's plan of salvation.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Christ's humiliation should inspire believers to honor him as the true King. What seems like a depressing scene actually reveals "the ultimate opportunity of a lifetime"—to be God's child through faith in Christ. Despite appearances, this moment of seeming defeat was actually the path to glory, both for Christ and for those who trust in him.
Comments