Luke : Day 38

Read Luke 22:63 – 23:25

There is nothing more frustrating to our sense of justice than a guilty person walking free. Perhaps there wasn’t enough evidence to convict… but everyone knows the truth! We know it’s unfair that the criminal seems to get away with their actions.

It’s also terrible to know that an innocent person has been locked up for a crime they didn’t commit. Both of these injustices happened in this section of Luke’s Gospel. The Jewish leaders convinced themselves that Jesus deserved death – but it had to be approved by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The only problem? Pilate didn’t agree that Jesus was guilty! Even Herod (the puppet king of Galilee), who had executed John the Baptist, could find no reason to do the same to Jesus.

Pilate tried to cut a deal with the Jews. He had a tradition each Passover of releasing one prisoner to the people* (Matthew 27). He offered them Jesus – but according to Matthew, the Jewish leaders had control of the crowd, and persuaded them to ask for a murderer named Barabbas. Pilate was keen to avoid a riot in his territory, and so he folded under pressure.

Barabbas is an interesting character in this shocking miscarriage of justice. From expecting and deserving death one moment, to his sudden, undeserved release the next – I wonder if he spared a thought for the innocent teacher who took his place on the cross?

In a way, Barabbas is a picture of every Christian. Christians know they have broken God’s laws and deserve judgment. But every Christian is free, because Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, took their place.

Think about these song lyrics:

“What kind of love is this, that gave itself for me?

I am the guilty one, yet I go free.”

Since God came into a messed up world to die for sinners, He must really love us! Have you thought about what this means for you?

“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.”

Luke 23:25