Tuesday, April 8, 2025
So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.” The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” “Barabbas!” they answered. Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all answered, “Crucify him!” Matthew 27:17-22 CSB
A Criminal and a King
As we approach Easter Pastor Jim has been taking us through a sermon series about the final days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The day Jesus was crucified, there were two men on trial. One, a known criminal and the other, the Savior of the world.
Pilate had two “criminals” to present to the people for them to decide which one they wanted to be released and which one they wanted crucified. The two criminals on trial were Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and Jesus, on trial for saying he was the King of the Jews. When Pilate asked the people “which one do you want me to release to you?” the people voted to let Barabbas go. Pilate was surprised but Barabbas was floored! He could not understand why he would be chosen by the same people he had committed crimes against. The faces staring back at him were the very people he had robbed, and lied to. How could they not want justice for him?
Pilate could not believe it either. Exasperated, he asked the crowd, what am I to do with Jesus? “Crucify him!!” Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and no threat to the security of Rome. He knew that the religious leaders were merely jealous of Jesus’ great popularity with the people and they wanted him out of the way, quickly, and fatally. Pilate never thought that the people would choose Barabbas over Jesus. He thought that would be the way to solve this very difficult dilemma by giving the people the choice. He was expecting to hear that they wanted Jesus released and he would be loyal to the crowd’s decision. Much to his dismay it didn’t turn out that way. The crowd wanted Jesus crucified. He had no choice now. He turned Jesus over to be crucified after having him flogged.
There is no information on what happened to Barabbas after he was released. We would like to think that his life was changed forever. He knew who Jesus was and He had heard his teaching. Maybe seeing Him actually die on the cross in his place changed his life forever. He was a living example that day of Jesus' love and sacrifice for us. Here was a criminal who had committed crimes worthy of a death sentence. And here was a Savior who died in his place, setting him free, just as he does for the whole world, because God so loved the world that He gave His only son to die on the cross to pay for your sins and mine.
How about you? Jesus died that we all may have eternal life, and that we may live life free from the bandage of sin. He took on the payment for the sins of Barabbas that day, and in place of all of us. You were not present that day like Barabbas was but how has the cross made a difference in your life? Has your life changed because of what He did for you that day? Do you live your life differently or do you live without regard to His sacrifice that day? Our sins nailed Him to the cross that day - a sacrifice made for our freedom. He paid the price so you and I could be redeemed. Let your life be a testimony of the difference the cross has made for you!
