Barabbas

Scripture: Luke 23:13-25

13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” 18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” 23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. (Luke 23:13-25 NLT)

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had a practice of releasing one prisoner to the crowd each year at Passover. This year, he offered them a choice between Barabbas, a notorious revolutionary, or Jesus of Nazareth, whom they accused of calling himself the “King of the Jews”. He had every reason not to release Barabbas, who was a real and actual threat to peace, and he knew Jesus was innocent of any legitimate criminal charge.

The crowd, whipped into a frenzy by the leading priests and elders of the people, shouted out for the release of Barabbas. Pilate wanted to release Jesus instead, but he feared the crowd would riot, so he “washed his hands of Jesus’ blood” and turned him over to be crucified (after unjustly having him whipped).

Pilate thought he could be clear of Jesus’ blood by washing his hands, and the Jews said “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” What none of them knew is that the guilt of Jesus’ blood is on all mankind and no one is innocent. And none of them knew that Jesus’ blood was a sacrifice for the sin of every person who ever lived, and was given to restore innocence to us all. This is the Gospel Message!

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for reminding my friends and me that none of us is innocent OF Jesus’ blood and that all of us become innocent BY Jesus’ blood. May we again know to the core of our being, the simplicity and the glory of the Gospel Truth! For Jesus’ Sake!