The greatest sermon ever preached was not in words, but in signs.  As Jesus Christ is taking the sin of the world upon himself, creation responds.  Matthew 27:45-56 invites us to behold these signs.  The sky goes black, the Son cries out, the curtain is torn, the earth shakes, and some dead come alive.  Let us behold together. 

Historical Christianity claims that believers are justified before God because Jesus stood as our substitute in the cosmic trial dealing with our sin.  When Jesus takes Barabbas' place in the Roman court, he provides a real-life symbol of the great truth that sets us free.  But what does it mean for us? 

All of life - and even the end of our life, provides us a choice of whether we will attempt to judge ourselves and others, or allow God to be the judge.  

Jesus challenged the priests because he subtly announced that a new priesthood, a new sacrificial system, had begun.  But do we need a priest?  What is priesthood like now?

The true explanation of humanity, the true religion, must account for both the wretchedness of and the greatness of human kind.  In the disciples' reaction to Jesus prediction of their betrayal, we see both.  Who will save us from this body of death?

There are few scenes in the Gospel of Matthew that more clearly show the life, teaching, and actions of Jesus fulfilling the hopes of Israel than the Last Supper.  But more than that happens here: we see a guide for the gathering up of Jesus' people for the rest of history.