Knowing The Word in Luke 23:17-

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

23:18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Comments

Barabbas means “son of the father”—how ironic is that? The true “Son of the Father” is sentenced to death so that the “son of the father” can go free. The high priest was most likely behind the scenes taking advantage of his position and encouraging proponents of Barabbas to get him released. Eventually the crowd called, for the first time, for the death of Jesus. Pilate reiterated his belief in the innocence of Jesus, but an uprising was brewing—one that Pilate decided to nip in the bud. The mob, enticed by the Jewish leadership won the day. The one guilty of death, Barabbas, was pardoned, and an innocent man, Jesus, would die in his place. The gospel!

Application

The crowd was manipulated by the high priest and his minions to demand the release of Barabbas and the death of Jesus. Have you ever been manipulated by a person in a high place or by a group of others to make an incorrect judgment in an important matter? How did you respond afterward when you understood better all the facts?

We are all in a sense the son of our father, Adam. Everyone of us is a sinner before God the Father. And yet God the Son, loved us, forgave us, and restored us to the Father at the cross. How will you live today with that profound knowledge?

Prayer

O Lord, you’ve forgiven me for what I have done, you’re sanctifying me in what I do today, and you will direct what I shall become. How glorious you are!