Day 32

His arrest and crucifixion...

Matthew 27:15-25 NIV84

Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.

"Barabbas," they answered.

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.

They all answered, "Crucify him!"

"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

What was the governor's custom at the Feast? Who did the crowd choose?

Jesus literally took Barabbas' place and he was set free. Imagine yourself as Barabbas. How do you think this would affect you in the days and weeks that followed?

Jesus was preparing to die for the sins of the world while Pilate pronounced himself innocent and the Jewish people accepted the blame placing it on themselves and their children. Do you see the irony of their statements? 

Lord Jesus, You alone make the way for freedom from sin and guilt by Your blood. Teach me to walk fully in this truth with joy and humble gratitude.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:19-20 NIV84