Friday, March 2, 2018
Luke 23:18, 23-24 The whole crowd shouted, "Away with this Man! Release Barabbas to us!" But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. Pilate decided to grant their demand.
THE GUILTLESS FOR THE GUILTY
A choice had to be made and the crowd before Pilate wouldn't even consider Jesus but chose Barabbas, a murderer, over their Messiah and Savior, placing Jesus into the same class as a criminal. Many of those in the crowd may have been convinced just a few days before that Jesus was a great Prophet, but under the skillful manipulation of the Sanhedrin they were turned into enemies of Jesus. With increasing volume their cry echoed through the narrow streets, "Let Him be crucified!"
The chief priests had sent their messengers through the crowd to incite their anger ever more strongly. They were willing to take upon themselves the responsibility and guilt of the Savior's death, "His blood be on us and on our children." Consider the terrible curse they pronounced upon themselves in their unbelief. They were saying, by demanding the Savior's death, that if Jesus were really innocent, God should punish them and their children as murderers. They chose a murderer, Barabbas, over Jesus. Imagine what Barabbas must have thought when he got the news! He was probably in a state of shock. After his release he may have wandered out among the people in amazement half blinded by the sunlight, barely able to believe his "luck." He may have asked strangers what had happened. Maybe he even went to see who they wanted to die in his place.
Yes, Barabbas may have stood at the foot of the cross in amazement, wondering why Jesus was there instead of him! Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God never complained. He willingly went through all the Jews and Romans could dish out. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). The Jews rejected Jesus as the way of eternal life! They couldn't see that only faith in Him--the long awaited Messiah--gives forgiveness and salvation. Though His death was a terrible miscarriage of justice (looking at the Sanhedrin's actions), it resulted in the greatest imaginable joy for mankind: Redemption and the forgiveness of sins! Now we stand at the foot of His cross in amazement!
