As I read Matthew 27 and 28, I found myself reflecting on how intentional God is.
From the betrayal of Jesus to His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, I was reminded that nothing took God by surprise. Even events that appeared tragic or confusing were part of His redemptive plan.
But beyond the fulfillment of prophecy, something else stood out to me: the importance of understanding God’s Word, using our influence for His purposes, learning to rest, and remaining available for His assignments.
These chapters challenged me to examine not just what I believe but how I live.
1. God’s Word Will Be Fulfilled — Am I Aligning My Life With It?
Matthew 27:3–10 — The Betrayal of Jesus and Fulfilled Prophecy
After Judas betrayed Jesus, he became overwhelmed with remorse. He returned the thirty pieces of silver, acknowledging that he had betrayed an innocent man.
The religious leaders refused to take responsibility, and Judas eventually took his own life.
Matthew connects the thirty pieces of silver and the purchase of the potter’s field to prophetic Scripture, particularly themes found in Zechariah 11:12–13, while attributing the prophecy to Jeremiah.
What struck me was how events surrounding Jesus’ death fulfilled what had been written long before.
God’s Word is not something we should simply read. It is something we should know, believe, and align our lives with.
However, this doesn’t mean every event in our lives is necessarily the fulfillment of a specific prophecy. Rather, Scripture reminds us that God’s purposes are trustworthy, even when circumstances appear confusing.
I think about the different seasons of life: waiting, rebuilding, starting businesses, nurturing relationships, and pursuing assignments God has placed in our hearts.
Sometimes, we become so focused on what is happening around us that we forget to examine what God has already said.
And this is why studying Scripture is important.
We cannot intentionally align ourselves with God’s Word if we do not know what it says.
Another lesson from Judas is that remorse and repentance are not quite the same. Judas recognized his wrongdoing, but his story ended tragically. His experience reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the importance of turning toward God’s mercy rather than allowing guilt and despair to consume us.
My reflection: Am I allowing God’s Word to shape my decisions daily, or am I allowing circumstances to determine what I believe?
2. Not Every Accusation Deserves a Response
Matthew 27:12–14 — Jesus Remained Silent Before Pilate
When Jesus stood before Pilate, He refused to respond to the accusations made against Him.
His silence surprised Pilate.
Imagine knowing you are innocent, having the authority to defend yourself, and still choosing not to respond.
Jesus wasn’t silent because He was powerless. His silence reflected His submission to the Father’s redemptive purpose.
This challenged me, especially when I think about leadership, business, relationships, and even ministry.
There are moments when we feel compelled to explain ourselves, correct misconceptions, or defend our intentions.
But wisdom sometimes requires restraint.
Of course, silence is not always the right response, particularly when speaking up could protect someone or address injustice.
Nevertheless, Jesus reminds us that we do not have to respond to every accusation simply because we have an answer.
Sometimes, obedience requires speaking. Other times, it requires remaining silent and trusting God.
3. We Need the Holy Spirit to Understand Scripture Beyond the Surface
Matthew 27:39–40 — The People Mocked Jesus
As Jesus hung on the cross, people mocked Him, referring to His earlier statement about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days.
What they failed to understand was that Jesus had been speaking about His body, as explained in John 2:19–22.
They heard His words but misunderstood their meaning.
And I wonder how often we do the same.
We can read Scripture, memorize verses, and even quote them confidently without fully understanding what God is communicating.
This is why I believe we need the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture to us.
John 14:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit teaches and brings Jesus’ words to remembrance.
There is a difference between being familiar with Scripture and allowing Scripture to transform us.
As believers, we must approach God’s Word with humility, asking Him to open our understanding.
This doesn’t mean looking for hidden meanings in every verse. It means studying Scripture in context while remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
My prayer is that I never become so familiar with God’s Word that I stop being teachable.
4. Wealth and Influence Have a Place in God’s Kingdom
Matthew 27:57–60 — Joseph of Arimathea Uses His Resources for Jesus
This passage particularly stood out to me.
Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man and a disciple of Jesus.
After Jesus died, Joseph approached Pilate and requested His body. Pilate granted his request.
Joseph then wrapped Jesus’ body in clean linen and placed it in his own new tomb.
What a beautiful example of using one’s resources for God’s purposes.
Although Scripture doesn’t explicitly say Joseph received access to Pilate because of his wealth, his position and resources enabled him to serve Jesus in a remarkable way.
It reminded me that wealth is not inherently ungodly. What matters is our relationship with it and what we choose to do with it.
There is a place for financially resourced believers in advancing God’s Kingdom.
Think about the possibilities: supporting missionaries, funding community projects, building schools, creating employment opportunities, sponsoring outreach programmes, and helping people access essential services.
As someone building businesses and pursuing initiatives intended to create meaningful impact, this passage challenged me.
I don’t want to pursue financial growth simply for comfort or recognition.
I want to remain conscious of what God can accomplish through the resources He entrusts to me.
Interestingly, the religious leaders also had influence. They approached Pilate to request that Jesus’ tomb be secured (Matthew 27:62–66).
Joseph used his access to honour Jesus, while the religious leaders used theirs to oppose what they feared might happen.
Both had access to authority, but their intentions were different.
Influence is a responsibility, and we get to decide how we use it.
My question is: If God increases my influence tomorrow, will His Kingdom benefit from it?
5. Rest Is an Expression of Trust in God
Matthew 27:62 and 28:1 — The Sabbath and the First Day of the Week
Another detail caught my attention: the reference to the Jewish day of rest.
The Sabbath was part of Israel’s weekly rhythm, established in the Old Testament as a day set apart for rest and worship.
Reading this reminded me of something I am still learning: the importance of intentional rest.
When there are businesses to build, people to serve, responsibilities to manage, and goals to achieve, it can feel as though there is always something demanding our attention.
But God never designed us to live as though everything depends entirely on our efforts.
Rest reminds us that He is God, and we are not.
For Christians, practices surrounding the Sabbath differ, but the biblical principles of rest, worship, and dependence on God remain valuable.
I am learning that taking time to rest does not mean abandoning my responsibilities.
It means acknowledging that my productivity is not the source of my identity or security.
Sometimes, resting is one of the most practical ways we demonstrate our trust in God.
I want to become more intentional about setting aside time each week to rest, reflect, worship, and simply enjoy God’s presence without feeling pressured to accomplish something.
6. Keep Showing Up — You Never Know What God Has Prepared
Matthew 28:1–10 — The Women Encounter the Risen Jesus
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb early on the first day of the week.
As Matthew records, an earthquake occurred, an angel descended from heaven, and the stone was rolled away.
The angel announced that Jesus had risen, just as He had promised.
The women were instructed to tell the disciples, and as they hurried away, Jesus Himself met them.
I found this beautiful.
These women had witnessed Jesus’ death and knew where He had been buried. Yet, they still went to the tomb.
They did not know everything they were about to encounter.
And although Matthew does not establish the exact sequence of their arrival and the angel’s descent, he makes something clear: they became witnesses to the resurrection and received an important assignment.
Their devotion placed them in a position to receive the message.
This reminds me of the importance of faithfulness.
Sometimes, we keep praying, serving, showing up, and obeying without knowing exactly what God is doing.
We may not have all the answers.
We may still be waiting for clarity.
But our responsibility is to remain faithful to what God has entrusted to us.
The women went looking for Jesus, and they encountered the reality of His resurrection.
What an encouragement to continue seeking Him!
Their encounter also reminds us that God entrusts important assignments to people who are willing to follow Him.
The women were instructed to carry the resurrection message to the disciples.
Their role was significant, and their obedience mattered.
7. Our Greatest Assignment Is to Make Disciples
Matthew 28:18–20 — The Great Commission
Jesus concluded His instructions to the disciples with a powerful declaration:
“God has given me authority over everyone and everything. I have all authority in heaven and in this world.”
He then commanded them to go into the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything He had commanded.
And He ended with a promise: He would always be with them.
This passage reminded me that regardless of the different assignments we pursue, our lives should ultimately point people toward Christ.
We may be entrepreneurs, professionals, parents, community leaders, creatives, or ministers.
Our platforms may look different, but the Great Commission remains central to our Christian calling.
It is not simply about gathering followers, building large communities, or creating successful initiatives.
It is about helping people know Jesus and grow in obedience to Him.
I find this particularly meaningful as I think about building communities, creating platforms, and developing opportunities for people to connect and grow.
It challenges me to ask whether the things I am building reflect God’s heart.
Am I simply creating something successful, or am I creating opportunities to serve people and reflect Christ?
And perhaps the most comforting part of the Great Commission is Jesus’ promise to remain with us.
God does not send us into His assignments without His presence.
We may encounter challenges, uncertainty, opposition, and seasons when progress feels slow.
But we are never required to fulfil God’s purposes through our strength alone.
His presence goes with us.
Practical Takeaways From Matthew 27–28
As I reflect on these chapters, here are seven lessons I want to carry into my daily life:
- Study God’s Word consistently. The more I understand Scripture, the better equipped I am to align my decisions with God’s truth.
- Practise wisdom in my responses. Not every accusation or misunderstanding requires an immediate explanation.
- Invite the Holy Spirit into Bible study. I want to understand Scripture in context and allow it to transform my heart.
- Use my resources and influence intentionally. Whatever God entrusts to me should become an opportunity to serve others and advance His Kingdom.
- Prioritize weekly rest. I want to build a sustainable rhythm that reflects my trust in God.
- Remain faithful in every season. Even when I cannot see the full picture, I can continue seeking God and obeying His instructions.
- Keep the Great Commission central. My work, leadership, relationships, and community involvement should ultimately reflect Christ.
Conclusion: His Word Is True, and His Presence Is Enough
Matthew 27 and 28 begin with betrayal, injustice, suffering, and death, but they end with resurrection, authority, purpose, and an extraordinary promise.
What appeared to be the end was not the end.
Jesus rose again, exactly as He had said.
And that is such a powerful reminder for anyone navigating a difficult or uncertain season.
We may not understand everything happening around us, but we can trust the God who sees the complete picture.
As I continue learning, rebuilding, leading, and pursuing the assignments before me, I want to remain anchored in His Word.
I want to use whatever influence and resources He gives me for His glory.
I want to learn to rest without guilt, obey without having every answer, and serve without losing sight of the One who called me.
Above all, I want to remember that the greatest assurance we have is not that everything will happen according to our plans, but that Jesus has promised to be with us always.
And that is enough.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word and for the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Help me to know Your Word deeply and align my thoughts, decisions, and actions with Your truth.
Holy Spirit, open my understanding whenever I study Scripture. Teach me to recognize Your voice and respond with humility and obedience.
Father, as You increase my influence, opportunities, and resources, help me to use them for Your glory. May my ambitions never become greater than my desire to serve You.
Teach me to rest and trust You, even when there is so much to accomplish.
Give me the grace to remain faithful in seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and rebuilding.
And above all, may everything I do point people toward Jesus.
Thank You for the assurance that You are always with me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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