His Blood Be Upon Us
by Jefferson David Tant
The expression in the title came from Matthew 27:25 during the trial of Jesus, as Governor Pilate was in a sense “between a rock and a hard place.” He seemed to realize that Jesus had committed no crime, and his wife had cautioned him against doing anything against Christ. Pilate’s wife told him of a dream she had: “While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him'.." (Matthew 27:19).
Pilate himself found no fault in Jesus and sought to release Him, but the crowd continued to clamor for Christ’s crucifixion. “But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. But the governor 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, 'Crucify Him!' And he said, 'Why, what evil has He done?' But they kept shouting all the more, saying, 'Crucify Him!' When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves.' And all the people said, 'His blood shall be on us and on our children!'” (Matthew 27:20-25).
Thus the Jewish chief priests and elders were willing to shoulder the guilt of crucifying the One we know as the Son of God. They were willing to be guilty of shedding His blood.
But some time later, things changed. In Acts 5 we read of the apostles doing signs and wonders and healing many, and the high priest and those who were with him were filled with jealousy. They had the apostles imprisoned, but an angel of the Lord opened the doors and brought them out. They were found and arrested again. Then they were brought before the council. Now note what happened. “… when they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, 'We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us'" (Acts 5:27-28).
Oh, I thought that was what they wanted back in Matthew 27. And now they are reaping the consequences of what they had done, and it is not pleasant.
Well, what about us in the 21st century? Is there any way that we can say Christ’s blood is on us? Are we in any way guilty of His crucifixion? The truth is, we have all sinned, and thus we have all had a part in the death of Christ. Why did Christ die? John expressed it in the following words: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (I John 2:2).
I remember reading a story some time ago about two soldiers who were in prison together, and one of them had committed a crime that required the death penalty. He was married and had children. His fellow soldier-prisoner was a single man and had no family. By some means the single man was able to take the married soldier’s place and be put to death, thus freeing his fellow soldier from the death penalty and his later release to be with his family.
What a great debt the guilty soldier owed for this great favor that was bestowed upon him, which in truth he did not earn or deserve.
And what a great debt we owe, and what thanksgiving we owe for the sacrifice the Son of God was willing to endure for us. Death by crucifixion was a horrible and painful way to die. We have done nothing to deserve what Christ did for us. And I believe that if you, or I, had been the only ones on the face of the earth, Christ would have died for us.
Note the apostle Paul’s words in II Corinthians 5:14-15: "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
What do we owe our Lord for this gracious and unmerited gift? We owe Him all. We owe Him faithful service. We owe Him gratitude. We owe Him our love.
Dear reader, how are you expressing your gratitude? Haphazard and lackadaisical service? Or are you truly committed to faithful service, while looking for that great reward — a home in heaven?
If you have never been baptized into Christ, that is the first step on the journey to heaven. Consider the commission that Christ gave the apostles before he ascended back to heaven. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).
The apostle Paul writes about a new life in Christ -- “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colossians 2:12-13).
If you have not been diligent in your service, the longer you wait to be committed, the stronger Satan’s influence will grow to keep you away. Christ is waiting for your return with open arms.
