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April 05, 2020

Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Matthew 27:25

Matthew 27:25

Abusive Behavior

I have cringed at these words throughout the years, “His blood be on us and on our children.” I cringe because of how these words have been used to justify hateful and abusive behavior. It is a sad and shameful fact that hate crimes against Jewish people have spiked during Holy Week throughout history. Some have tried to justify their hateful behavior with these words from the Bible, “His blood be on us and on our children!” The words of the Bible have been twisted and misinterpreted to suggest that the Jewish people are uniquely to blame for the crucifixion of Jesus. That interpretation is unbiblical and unchristian. 

I saw on the news this week that a class of young Jewish women were verbally and visually attacked while they were in a video conference. A group of boys interrupted their class, uttered hateful slurs, and showed inappropriate images. That was wrong and abusive.

Alarmingly incidents of domestic abuse are also up during this pandemic. As people are stuck at home with nowhere to go and anxiety runs high, abusive behavior may increase against children, spouse, animals, and one’s self. It is believed that alcohol consumption is increased, which can be a form of abuse against one’s self in a hope to dull the pain of the collective trauma we are all dealing with.

Jesus Suffered Abuse

Jesus suffered from abuse too.There are two very important consequences in understanding the Jesus was abused:

1. If you have ever been abused, or are being abused you are not alone. Jesus who is God knows what you are going through. God knows and experiences all of your pain and anguish with you.
2. If you have abused someone, then you have abused Jesus Christ who is God. Your victim, whoever it might be, is also God. 
   1. If you abuse your spouse, then you abuse God
   2. If you abuse a child, you are abuse God
   3. If you abuse an animal, you abuse God
   4. If you abuse yourself, you abuse God

In other words every single human being throughout history was there when Jesus stands before Pilate and the crowd. And when the crowd cries out, “His blood be on us and on our children!” That is you and it is me, “His blood is on us, and on our children!” 

Jesus Forgives and Protects

But you know what? The night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, broke it, and said, “This is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again after supper he took the cup, blessed, and gave it for all to drink, saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Shed for you, and for all people…for the forgiveness of sins. Do this for the remembrance of me.” The blood of Jesus is the power of God to forgive sin, save from the devil, and give eternal life. So even though we play a role in hurting Jesus; we are also covered by his life saving blood.

I had a friend from my hometown that was from a pentecostal background. I asked him once what he thought about demonic power. He said he thought that it was real, but then he looked me in the eye and said, “But we are covered by the blood of Jesus.” 

Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Matthew 27:25

Matthew 27:25

The good news of Jesus’ passion, suffering, and abuse, is that it was enough. It was more than enough. Nobody and nothing ever has to be abused ever again. God has the power to end destructive patterns of abuse. How?

Talk to Someone

Talk to somebody. Sharing your feelings and struggles is a tangible step to put an end to lies, misinformation, and hurtful behavior. Tell the truth. If you are unsafe, tell somebody you trust. If you are struggling with anger, call someone you trust and tell them how you feel. Talk to somebody. You have nothing to fear because, “His blood is on us and on our children.”

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