Jesus, or Barabbas?
HEROD had returned Jesus to Pilate, and again we find Jesus before the Roman governor. Pilate was still loathe to pronounce sentence of condemnation. He called together the chief priests and scribes and the people, and said to them:
“Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people; and behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man, touching those things whereof ye accuse Him: no, nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him, and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him.” Luke 23:14-1614Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (Luke 23:14‑16).
It needs to be explained that at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release to the Jews one of their prisoners, which ever one they should choose. At this time there were different prisoners. Jesus was one; Barabbas was another; and then there were the two thieves that afterwards were crucified with Jesus. When Pilate said he would chastise Jesus and release Him, he referred to this custom. But Jesus was not the choice of the Jews. They all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release unto us Barabbas.” “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Luke 23:1818And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Luke 23:18); John 18:4040Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:40). And when again Pilate proposed to release Jesus, their murderous hearts found vent in the cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” A third time Pilate pleaded with the Jews for the release of Jesus, and said to them, “Why, what evil hath He done? I have found no cause of death in Him; I will chastise, and let Him go.” This appeal only brought out the more the determination of the Jews to have Jesus crucified. “They were instant with loud voices, requiring that He might be crucified.”
All this brings out the more clearly and fully the wickedness of both Pilate and the Jews. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against Him. No sin was proved against Jesus, as Pilate well knew and declared. Why then, did he trifle with the Jews? Why did he not release Jesus, as he knew he ought to do. Alas! it was little to Pilate whether Jesus was crucified, or not, if only he could hold his place as a ruler. There was no conscience, no fear of God. Self-interest was all.
The Jews also knew that Jesus was not guilty of the charges they brought against Him. But He was in their way, and they must get Him out of their way. They hated Him, and He must be put to death. They chose Barabbas instead of Jesus. Barabbas had been guilty of insurrection, was a robber, and a murderer. And now the murderer must be set free, and Jesus must be murdered under form of law. Poor, deluded Jews, given over to the power of Satan, who was a murderer from the beginning. Satan was a liar, too, and lies and murder were united in the wretched Jews, who must make way with the Son of God.
Oh! my young reader, what do you think of these things? What says your heart? Are you like the Jews who could not bear the presence of Jesus? Would you like if you could avoid ever meeting Him? Ah! but meet Him you must. How shall it be? As His friend, or His foe? Perhaps, like Pilate, you are indifferent, and are ready to wash your hands and say, it is no affair of yours. No, you cannot do that. You must take your stand either with Him, or with his murderers. Which shall it be? When once you have heard the truth, there is no middle ground. Neutral you cannot be. You must decide for or against. Let me beseech you to decide for Jesus now, just now.
ML 06/24/1906