I pondered a few weeks ago where to go next as we continue the study to the insight of Christ.
Although this passage covers a large portion of Scripture it is relevant to our study. The title is very plain and clear, as all that know Christ in a personal relationship know also that the 'crucifixion decider' was between Christ and Barabbas. Peter claimed that the men of Israel 'denied the Holy One and the just, and desired a murderer to be granted' to them, and killed the Prince of Life. Here, Peter was saying they were giving life to the one that had taken life, and taken life from the one who had given life. The irony of it is this; it didn’t stop there.

The Jewish council had already condemned Jesus of blasphemy (Ch 26 v65-66). They also knew that this charge would not mean anything to Pilate, they piled on political charges against Him. I also realise that Pilate could not ignore that fact that Jesus claimed to be 'Christ the King'. (Luke 23v2) The leaders of Israel falsely judged the LORD to meet their political expectations as one who was claiming to be the Messiah. This I believe to be a large problem, even in today's society, people judge God as someone who is far from what the Bible says He was and is. Jesus now stood charged with being the kind of Messiah He had refused to be (Ch 4v1-10, 16v21-23). Pilate must have found it incredibly hard to understand that the poor, bound, Galilean, preacher that stood in his presence should have ever made a claim to any sort of royalty, and must have questioned Him over his kingship.

Pilate was satisfied about Jesus' innocence and confident of the result, he then offered to release either Jesus or Barabbas. Due to the influence of chief priests and elders, the people chose Barabbas. They had 'realised' in their own minds that there was no 'messiahship' but that of the sword. The rulers had claimed that Jesus, was a threat to Rome, and they turned from Him because they knew He was not. As we look upon Jesus, we must realise who He claimed to be, and that claim was exactly, 100% correct. Here was the Messiah, the Son of God being sent for crucifixion - a man who had done no wrong, he was opposite from Barabbas, yet the crowds that had gathered still cried 'we want Barabbas'. The final irony is this; the governor was forced to release a man who was guilty of the very form of crime they tried to lay on Jesus. The Lord Jesus was led out to be crucified - a very painful and excruciating death. Many people would not get as far as the cross as the pain was too much to bear.

Barabbas must have known that Jesus died in his place. Today, as I look around at the world in which we have residence, I realise people would rather 'go with the crowd', they would prefer to echo the words of the crowd, we want Barabbas. They don't realise that they are breathing the air that God provides, but if asked of their belief in Him, they would shrug him off as someone who never even existed. We too must realise, He took our place on the cross, and when we realise this, give him thanks accordingly, as is due to His name. What a Saviour!

Click here to read September's devotional. It is entitled grace.