Luke 23:1-25
[1] Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” [3] And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” [4] Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” [5] But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
[6] When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [7] And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. [8] When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. [9] So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. [10] The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. [11] And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
[13] Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. [15] Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. [16] I will therefore punish and release him.”
[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. (ESV)
Jesus submits himself to be judged by a lower authority. He allows the "company" to bring Him, creator of all the universe, before Pilate, the equivalent of our MP today to be judged. He allows them to accuse Him of things that are... Well, true, but painted negatively. Then Pilate decides he doesn't dare to make the decision, and sends him up the chain (and earns himself a valuable political friendship - how useful!)
Herod too, fails to find anything wrong with Jesus. However, Herod takes the step to mock Him. Why Jesus allows is an amazing mystery - humbling Himself - not just to the point of a servant, but allowing Himself to be disgraced in such a manner.
The final straw really comes when Jesus is sent back to Pilate. Pilate tries to release Jesus - he clearly does not want anything to do with killing the "King of the Jews" - Pilate fears the crowd. So when the crowd calls for Jesus' execution instead, he grants their wish. The contrast is stark - here, a man wanted for murder, for the greatest, most unforgivable sins walks free, and the Man who is pure and upright is crucified.
2000 years later, men and women who sell their souls to sin are still walking free. All because one Man gave His life, one Man took on the sins of the world. Our freedom was not free - it came at a cost.
What do you think Barabbas did next?
[1] Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. [2] And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” [3] And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” [4] Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” [5] But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
[6] When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [7] And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. [8] When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. [9] So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. [10] The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. [11] And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
[13] Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. [15] Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. [16] I will therefore punish and release him.”
[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. (ESV)
Jesus submits himself to be judged by a lower authority. He allows the "company" to bring Him, creator of all the universe, before Pilate, the equivalent of our MP today to be judged. He allows them to accuse Him of things that are... Well, true, but painted negatively. Then Pilate decides he doesn't dare to make the decision, and sends him up the chain (and earns himself a valuable political friendship - how useful!)
Herod too, fails to find anything wrong with Jesus. However, Herod takes the step to mock Him. Why Jesus allows is an amazing mystery - humbling Himself - not just to the point of a servant, but allowing Himself to be disgraced in such a manner.
The final straw really comes when Jesus is sent back to Pilate. Pilate tries to release Jesus - he clearly does not want anything to do with killing the "King of the Jews" - Pilate fears the crowd. So when the crowd calls for Jesus' execution instead, he grants their wish. The contrast is stark - here, a man wanted for murder, for the greatest, most unforgivable sins walks free, and the Man who is pure and upright is crucified.
2000 years later, men and women who sell their souls to sin are still walking free. All because one Man gave His life, one Man took on the sins of the world. Our freedom was not free - it came at a cost.
What do you think Barabbas did next?
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