Matthew 27-28  The crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ.  
Chapter 27 starts out with the sad account of Judas, trying to take back what he had done.  We are told that he "felt remorse".  He tried to return the 30 pieces of silver.  The religious leaders offered no help, no counsel, no forgiveness, and no restoration.  They could not help him find his way back to God.  In despair, Judas took things into his own hands.  He threw the silver into the sanctuary and he took his own life.  Although Judas confessed his sin, he found no salvation.  He went to the wrong place for that.  He needed to go to the cross...

The chief priests took the returned silver and purchased a field, "the Potter's field".  This field would be called the "Field of Blood" and would be used to bury strangers. Jeremiah had prophesied this very thing... the priests would have known that prophecy, but even this truth they ignored, so bent on their desire to see Jesus die.

Pilate tries to free Jesus, he knows the hearts of the Jews, and wants nothing to do with this trial. He even washes his hands and proclaims his own innocence of "this Man's blood".   The people foolishly answer that " His blood be on us and on our children!"  Sadly, that is what happens.

The soldiers carry out the crucifixion.  They:
Strip Him.
Put a scarlet robe on Him.
Put a crown of thorns on His head.
Put a reed in His right hand.
Spit on Him.
Mock Him.
Beat Him.
Lead Him away.
And crucify Him.

Jesus refuses the wine mixed with gall.
Resists the temptation to save Himself.
Cries out to the Father.
Yields up His spirit.
His body is removed from the cross.
Buried in Joseph's tomb.
And  He rises on the third day!

The story does not end there.  For Jesus tells His disciples that "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Because He has authority, they are to go and make disciples in all the nations! Salvation is made available to all who become disciples of Christ, being baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and observing all that Jesus commanded.

Judas tried to take back his sin. He couldn't.
Pilate tried to proclaim he was innocent. He wasn't.
The chief priests and elders tried to bypass the Truth. They didn't.
The soldiers tried to shame and abuse Jesus. They didn't know what they were doing.

But Jesus did exactly what He said He would do.  He died and He rose again on the third day.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who of the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
We can't take back our sins. We can't proclaim our own innocence.  We can't create our own truth.
We can only look to Jesus!  Keep fixing your eyes on Him!  He died to pay the price for our sins... and He alone can take them away!  He proclaims us to be blameless and holy, because He has the authority to do so.  He is the author and perfecter of our faith.  He is the Truth!
O Hallelujah What a Savior!