Jesus voluntarily sacrificed himself. (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19)

Matthew

27:3-7

It's nearly impossible to do something that can't be repented of. Christ's atonement is infinite. To suggest limits to his atonement is to not understand it. I believe that Christ's infinite atonement also extends to Judas. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."

I think that Judas didn't foresee the consequences of his betrayal. He had seen Jesus escape trouble with the chief priests and elders several times. In fact, in all of their interactions, Christ had been the victor and had confounded them. When Judas saw that this was different, he repented. "...when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself."

He realized the severity of his betrayal. So what did he do? He "brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the high priests and elders." Why would he do that? He attempted to make it right. Like many of us who sin, we come to ourselves and attempt to undo what we've done. Judas desired to undo it by returning the silver.

He admitted his sin. "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." This is often the most difficult step - admitting that we've done something wrong. Judas does this almost immediately after seeing what was happening to Jesus. Many of us, to maintain our moral self-esteem, would rationalize how we had actually done something good. We would justify our decisions. Judas didn't.

It's interesting that they literally didn't care. The JST says in verse five, "And they said unto him, What is that to us? See thou to it; thy sins be upon thee. And they said unto him, What is that to us? See thou to it; thy sins be upon thee." They just wanted to wring something evil out of him. When they were done with him, they didn't care about him. They behaved as Satan does. In Alma 30:60, we read, "And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."

They probably enjoyed seeing Judas suffer. They loved, and I mean loved, pointing out the sins in others. Doing so made them feel better about themselves.

At that point, many of us might say, "oh well, I did what I could to fix it." Judas didn't. He wanted no part of the 30 pieces of silver. In the JST, we read, "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went, and hanged himself on a tree. And straightway he fell down, and his bowels gushed out, and he died." He couldn't live with himself. He may have thought that suicide was the only thing he could do that could atone for what he had done. It may not have been a good choice but it demonstrates his guilt and remorse for what he had done.

With no sense of irony and self-reflection, the priests didn't accept the silver. "And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood." They were concerned about including the silver into the treasury as it would break one of their rules. They intended to murder but didn't want to commit sinful accounting. Jesus knew them well when he said that they would "...strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."

When we were in Jersusalem, we saw the potter's field. It was just outside Jerusalem on the south side. Here's a video.

27:11-14

"And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly." It's interesting that Jesus would interact with Pilate but not the chief priests and elders.

I think it was because Pilate was not conspiring against him. Pilate had his own set of sins but plotting to murder an innocent man wasn't one of them. He was worthy of a response from the Creator of the universe.

Jesus wasn't going to argue or beg for mercy. Pilate wanted him to defend himself. "Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?" When Jesus didn't respond, Pilate "marveled greatly." I'm sure Pilate was used to men begging for their lives. He was used to people getting emotionally distressed and shaken when faced with punishment of any kind. Jesus wasn't going to stoop to their level and have a debate with them. Jesus said that all contention is of the devil. He didn't want to participate in pointless contention.

John does record that they had a conversation.

27:17-19

Pilate didn't want to execute Jesus. He gave them an opportunity to do the right thing. He gave them a choice that he thought would bring them to their senses. "Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him."

Surely, they wouldn't want a criminal released above someone who they were just envious of! This was an attempt to, using contrast, force the Jews into making the right decision. It didn't work.

We learn that Pilate knew, for a fact, that Jesus was there because the Jewish leaders were jealous of him and his growing popularity. He knew that Jesus had committed no sin and shouldn't be there.

Even his wife was very uncomfortable with this thing. "When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." Pilate was getting pressure from his wife to release Jesus. It didn't matter.

27:20, 22-24

Pride is evident throughout this story. First, with the multitude. "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." The crowd was the same group that cheered and celebrated his entrance into Jersusalem a few days prior! How could they be convinced otherwise? I think they didn't want to go against the chief priests and elders. Why? They didn't want to lose favor. They didn't want to be shunned by the church leaders. It was easier for them to go along than to support the man that had healed their sister or brother.

Pilate attempts to argue for Jesus. "Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified." Here, we have a Pagan Roman arguing for the life of Jesus while the chosen people are clamoring for his death. Strange day. I do appreciate Pilate's efforts. But, his pride is illustrated in his ultimate decision. "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it." Pride drove Pilate.

His role was governor. He was assigned to manage the Jewish people. His two goals were to collect taxes and keep things stable and peaceful. Seeing the mob mentality frightened Pilate. He might get fired from his position if he caused a huge revolt among the Jews. He cared more about his station than punishing an innocent man. He wasn't a man of principle. He chose the wrong thing rather than put himself at risk. He wanted, at all costs, to keep the peace "rather a tumult was made."

I don't judge Pilate. I can imagine that many of us would do exactly the same thing. Jesus was an unknown person to Pilate. Pilate saw him as just but didn't have any idea about who Jesus was. Jesus meant nothing to Pilate. Under Pilate's rule, many Jews were crucified. What's one more? If it keeps the peace, than killing one man - innocent or not - was definitely worth it. Having said that, allowing an innocent man to die was evidence of a lack of any integrity. What Pilate did was wicked.

We should keep Pilate in mind when our brains attempt to rationalize a bad decision. If we start down the road of, "the ends justify the means," we need to slow down and really consider what we're doing.

27:39-43

When we do something wrong, we love anything that reinforces the idea that we are actually right. It was the same with the people and church leaders. After they had gotten their way, they wanted confirmation that they were actually right. "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God."

His suffering and dying demonstrated, to them, that he WASN'T the Messiah. Certainly, the Messiah couldn't be crucified! It's interesting that the people who "passed by" and the chief priests all knew what he had said. They knew about him claiming to rebuild the temple. They knew about his claims to be the King of Israel. Because he was being crucified, these things couldn't be true. Could they?

They also knew that he had "saved others." They had a testimony of his power. To combat that understanding, they mocked him because he appeared unable to save himself. His apparent inability reinforced their belief that he wasn't the Messiah - even though he KNEW he had saved others. It's so irrational! It shows how far the mind will go to justify our actions. It's part of the natural man.

They said that, if he saved himself from the cross, that "we will believe him." Would they? Would they immediately fall down on their knees or would they rationalize that away too?

It would have been impossible for me to not save myself and strike these people down. I would have given into the temptation to prove my divinity. Jesus had been tempted by that word "if" many times. Satan himself used this tactic. These people doubted Jesus was who he said he was. The temptation to prove them wrong would have been overwhelming to me. One reason I am not the Savior. It illustrates his supreme self control.

27:46

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Why would Jesus, who had perfect faith, believe that God had forsaken him?

Elder Holland talked about this in a General Conference talk. "Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence...I speak of those final moments for which Jesus must have been prepared intellectually and physically but which He may not have fully anticipated emotionally and spiritually..."

Jesus had always had his Father's presence with him. They enjoyed a very close and intimate relationship. For Jesus to understand every emotion, he needed to experience the full withdrawal of his presence. For those of us who sin, we experience this. For Jesus to succor us, he needed to also experience this.

His question on the cross is a plea for understanding - not an expression of doubt.

27:62-64

"Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 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."

I can picture those chief priests and Pharisees meeting and discussing their evil acts and colluding about how to prevent any other threats to their authority and station. Weasels. They were now worried that his disciples would steal the body and create a legend that would travel far and wide. They are very expert at looking out for themselves.

I also think it's interesting that they DID understand when "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." They acted like he was speaking nonsense. They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”

Now that Jesus was dead, their true understanding was revealed. They knew the entire time that Jesus was talking about his own body. Weasels!

Mark

15:40-41; Luke 23:56

"There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem...And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." I think it's interesting that the women are following him. These women must have been devoted and fearless. The disciples aren't mentioned. I think the women were brave.

Women have a natural ability to nurture. They take care of people. As I write this, Marci is in the kitchen making an incredible Father's Day dinner. It's not easy for her to be on her feet this long. She has been working on this dinner for two days. She's a caring, selfless, nurturing woman.

These women had an uncontrollable desire to care for Jesus - crucified or not. They put themselves at risk by following him all the way to the sepulchre where he was laid. Luke records, "And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments." Their concern and service is an example of their love and devotion.

Luke

23:2, 5

"And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King." They knew what buttons to push to back Pilate into a corner. They were accusing Christ of sedition and treason. They were manipulating Pilate because they knew his prime directive was to prevent an uprising.

When Pilate pushed back, saying, "I find no fault in this man," they continued their manipulation. "And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place." They were attempting to exaggerate and embellish the "rebellious acts" he was guilty of.

Again, they were weasels.

23:7, 12

Pilate wanted to weasel out of his responsibility to judge Jesus. When they mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, he seems pleased that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction. He wanted to pass the buck. Also, I think Pilate was trying to respect Herod. Sending Jesus to Herod would build their relationship. Herod sending Christ back showed deference to Roman authority. In verse 12, we read, "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves."

Again, I can't judge Pilate harshly. I could see myself doing the same thing if I was in the same position. If there is a reasonable way to get out of a sticky situation, it's tempting.

23:8-9

"And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing." Herod wanted entertainment. Legality and fairness weren't even on his radar. He didn't care what Jesus was accused of. He simply "hoped to have seen some miracle." Pathetic.

I'm glad that Jesus didn't respond to him. I think that Herod didn't deserve to interact with Jesus. It sounds like Herod conducted a lengthy, one-sided interview of "many words."

For whatever reason, Herod didn't make any pronouncement of guilt or innocence. He simply sent him back to Pilate. Why didn't he just have him executed? I don't know. It does look like another weasel who wanted to pass the buck.

23:13-16, 20, 22

In Luke, we read that Pilate attempts three times to save the life of Jesus:

1. "And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him."

2. "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him."

3. "And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go."

Again, this pagan leader is arguing against Israelites for the life of Jesus. Pretty weird and sad.

What was their response to these three pleas from Pilate?

1. "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas."

2. "But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him."

3. "And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed."

This political leader was following the will of a mob. Does this happen today? YES! It happens a lot. Whatever group yells the loudest gets what they want.

I don't think the ones yelling were the majority of the group. They were just the most vocal. It seems like this very thing is happening today. Except, instead of a palace courtyard, it's social media. A small group of trolls can get political leaders to act.

Our leaders must have the courage to stand up to the mob. Because of self-interest and protecting their position, they seem to always respond. The people who don't do this are rare. A current example appears to be Elon Musk. He was recently questioned about whether he would change his stance on an issue because it seemed like he might lose money because of the public pushback. He said three words, "I don't care." That might sound insensitive but leaders must have the courage to go against what a lot (even the majority) of people desire. That's part of what it means to be a leader!

23:27-31

"And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us."

It's interesting that the record mentions the women. Again, I think the women were brave and didn't consider the possible consequences of appearing to support Jesus. They were going to do what they were going to do. I love it.

Jesus gave them a warning and appears to redirect their sorrow. Instead of mourning him, they should mourn their future selves. Within a few decades, Jersusalem would be destroyed. Life was going to become very hard for Jews. Jesus would be resurrected in glory within a few days. Their immediate futures would be less glorious.

He was giving them some time to prepare. He was helping them focus on what they could do. His fate was out of their hands. But they could mentally, physically, spiritually prepare for the hardships coming.

I think verse 31 is interesting. "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" The time of Christ was a magical time. The pure truth of God was being taught. Miracles were happening regularly. People were being forgiven. Jesus was the Savior of the world. He was certainly a "green tree." When that source of light and beauty is taken away, what are the consequences for the people? If this can happen to the Messiah, what can happen to the average Jew?

23:34

Jesus was then crucified by nailing his hands, wrists and feet to the cross. These were Roman soldiers. They had no idea who Jesus was. They had not been present when Jesus healed and taught. Jesus understood this. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

How easy it would have been to curse them. These soldiers weren't pleasant people. They were rough and rude. In verse 36-37, we read, "And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." A lesser man, including me, would have hated these men. They were causing pain and enjoying it.

Only Jesus Christ himself would be able to forgive them IN THE ACT. I am good at forgiving people years later after the sting of the offense has worn off. But, to forgive these men while they were making Christ suffer is certainly godlike. Jesus's love extended to them. His love for these men and all of us likely fueled his ability to endure. His love for all of us, regardless of the stupid things that we do, is beautiful.

23:39-43

"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

This interaction between the two others who were crucified and Jesus illustrates how the plan of salvation works. The first malefactor was interested in himself and using Christ to free him. He didn't have faith. He used that awful word "IF." He had no appreciation for Jesus. He doesn't mention the afterlife but is primarily concerned with his current situation.

The second man:

• Admitted his guilt. He accepted he had made bad choices and was facing the consequences.

• Understood that Jesus was innocent.

• Exercised faith in Jesus that he could save him and that he was bound for a kingdom.

• He asked simply for Jesus to remember him.

This sounds like someone who is exercising faith in Jesus Christ and repenting. He sounds like someone who will follow Jesus when they are together in paradise. He looks like someone who has an upward trajectory.

I don't know what his past was. Obviously he had made bad choices. But, in this moment, he appears to want to change. Christ is giving him that opportunity to change.

Those who leave this life with no desire to follow Christ or improve themselves will be in spirit prison. It won't be a prison of walls and bars but they will be confined by their own faithless beliefs. Their won't be the joy that comes with faith and progression. The limits they have will likely be self-created - just like it is here.

Those who have faith and desire to improve will be surrounded by those who will help them. They will experience the joy of progressing and becoming more like Jesus Christ. It will be a literal paradise.

John

19:4-5

Jesus was scourged. It's a scene I can't really imagine. It was awful. He must have appeared broken.

I think Pilate attempted to use his appearance to change the minds of the people. I think he was hoping that they would be satisfied - that they might have some empathy. "Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" Surely, when they saw Jesus, they would be satisfied with the punishment.

They were not.

19:8-11

The crowd demanded that he be crucified because he claimed to be the Son of God. "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid." It's interesting that Pilate was afraid. Why was he afraid?

• He was considering executing an innocent man. He likely felt that this would displease his Gods and there would be a consequence.

• His wife had dreamed a dream about Jesus. She had warned Pilate to have nothing to do with Jesus.

• There was a small chance this was the Son of God. What if Pilate ordered the execution of the actual Son of God? That would be bad for him.

"And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" Pilate wanted to interact with Jesus. Surely, the words Jesus said would give Pilate a confirmation either way. When Jesus didn't answer, this was frustrating and confusing for Pilate. He wanted to settle this and wanted to hear from Jesus.

Jesus finally did. "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." It's important that we remember that no one executed Jesus against his will. Jesus had the ability to end this immediately and heal himself. Every ounce of pain that Jesus endured was voluntary. Jesus could have said or did something to convince Pilate to free him. Knowing that this step was necessary, Jesus wasn't interested in talking Pilate out of it.

In fact, it sounds like Jesus is consoling Pilate a little. He states that the ones who were clamoring for his execution were the ones with the greater sin.

Pilate still wants to let him go. "And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him."

19:12

"The Jews finally made the ultimate point to Pilate. "...the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar." They were conflating releasing Jesus with speaking against Cæsar. The threat was plain. If he released Jesus, they would get word to Pilate's boss that Pilate wasn't loyal to Cæsar. The consequences would be dire for Pilate.

He allowed himself to be manipulated by the threat of losing those things precious to him: power, riches, respect, etc. He valued those things more than the life of a man.

19:26-27

One of the greatest examples of Jesus's selflessness was how he cared for his mother from the cross. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." At the height of his suffering, he was looking outward to care for his mother.

Even on the cross, he was scanning the crowd for opportunities to bless others. It is the ultimate example of selflessness. It is a good reminder for us to be on a continual quest to bless others - regardless of our current situation.

Also, we can't ever let any setback, disappointment, injury make us look only inward. We cannot let the bad events that will happen to us all turn us towards ourselves only. God expects us to look outward - even in times of trial.

I remember a talk by Elder Bednar about a woman whose daughter died in a car accident. Here's an excerpt from that talk: "I faintly heard the nurse telling this faithful mother and friend that the young woman pronounced dead at the scene of the accident had been positively identified as her daughter. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was listening to this good woman in the very moment that she learned of the death of her precious daughter. Without hesitation, and with a calm and most deliberate voice, our friend next said, "President Bednar, we must get in contact with the two other mothers. We must let them know as much as we can about the condition of their daughters and that they will soon be in the hospital in Fayetteville." There was no self-pity; there was no self-absorption; there was no turning inward. The Christlike character of this devoted woman was manifested in her immediate and almost instinctive turning outward to attend to the needs of other suffering mothers. It was a moment and a lesson that I have never forgotten. In a moment of ultimate grief, this dear friend reached outward when I likely would have turned inward."

We should all be working to develop a Christlike character. Our instinct should be to look outward. Christ taught this but lived it in the most extreme case possible. Christ's love and selflessness and compassion were infinite. We won't achieve this level in mortality - but it is the goal in eternity.