S T A T I O N 4
CONDEMNED (BARABBAS)
Read
LUKE 23:13-25
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17]
18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”
23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
Reflect
As an act of goodwill towards the Jews they governed, it was customary for the Roman governor to release one criminal Jew on Passover. Pilate, the Roman governor at the time, knew Jesus had committed no crime and tried to both keep peace with the crowd and let Jesus go free. The choice Pilate sets before the crowd could not have been more simple: Barabbas, a high-profile killer and rabble-rouser who was unquestionably guilty, or a humble teacher and miracle-worker who was demonstrably innocent.
Highly influenced by the Jewish religious leaders, the crowd chose Barabbas to go free.
Scholars say that Barabbas likely represented the hearts of the crowd. Many that day probably respected Jesus, but his message didn’t align with their insurrectionist ideas to topple Rome through power. When Jews hoped for their coming, promised Messiah, many expected a political and military leader who would liberate them from their oppressors so they could build their earthly kingdom.
But in stark contrast, Jesus had spent his life in humble, creative acts of non-violence. He didn’t spend his life readying to overthrow the Roman government through force. Instead, he spent it overthrowing the hold of sin in our lives.
We, like Barabbas, are guilty of trading in our love for God to make the things of this world our priority. We’ve traded peace for power, generosity for security, and others for ourselves. But also like Barabbas, are offered to go free while Jesus, the innocent sufferer, stands in our place.
Respond
In what ways have you asked for Barabbas instead of Jesus? When have you insisted on power or control over wanting Jesus himself? Thousands of years ago, the religious crowd clamored, “Give us Barabbas!”. As an act of choosing Jesus over power in this world, write “Give me Jesus” on the board provided.