What were they thinking?

 Read Matthew 27.

The religious leaders sought an occasion to rid themselves of Jesus.  They feared the responses of the people, so they took the steps listed in this chapter under the cover of darkness.  This was in direct violation of the law regarding court hearings being held in the daytime.  Energized by Satan himself, these, who were supposed to be the nation's spiritual leaders, found themselves knee deep in sin.

What did they know to be true?  And, what were they thinking at the time of their sinful, godless behaviors?

1. Judas  (vv.3-5)
He betrayed Jesus to the Jewish council in the dark Garden of Gethsemane.  Evidently, he never thought that Jesus would actually be condemned to die.  What was he thinking now?  "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."  His remorse, however, did not lead him to repentance of his sin.

2. Pilate, the governor. (vv. 11-26)
After accommodating the Temple leaders with a hearing of the charges against Jesus, Pilate came to the conclusion that Jesus was innocent.  What was he thinking?  "For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up."  The religious leaders stirred the crowd, perhaps with threats, to chant for the crucifixion of Jesus.  What was Pilate thinking then?  "Why what evil has he done?"

This is a Biblical example that is still true today.  The emotional hysteria of a crowd, motivated by those with their own selfish agendas, can sway others to quickly ignore the facts of a case.  A majority chant does not make right in any case.

What was Pilate thinking at that point?  He publicly and literally washed his hands of the entire business.  Yet, judicially he caved in to the chants and ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

3. Pilates' wife. (v.19)
What was she thinking?  After being warned in a dream, she urged her husband, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man."

4. The Roman soldiers. (vv.27-31)
600 men, trained and well-known for their cruelty, performed their worst.  What were they thinking?  Jesus was sport to them.  They mocked His claim of being a king.

5. Those at the crucifixion. (vv.32-44)
What were they thinking?  They "derided him", "mocked him", and "reviled him".  They jeered at Jesus using some of His own words.

6. The centurion. (v.54)
When God, the Father, unleashed a series of demonstrations of His power, the evidence was unmistakable to those who wanted to acknowledge the truth.  What was the centurion at the cross thinking?  "Truly this was the Son of God."

7. The chief priests and Pharisees. (vv.62-66)
It is interesting to note that these religious leaders were well aware of Jesus' prediction of His resurrection.  What were they thinking?  Jesus was an "impostor" and a "fraud".  To make sure that this was the end of Jesus, they asked for and received a Roman seal with guards at the tomb.

No one can be neutral in their thinking about Jesus and His claims.  The conclusion a person makes is the difference between eternal life and eternal punishment.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36)