Crucify Him

Jesus was arrested during Passover and taken to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where He was brought up before the Sanhedrin – the Jewish ruling council.

The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to execute Jesus – only the Roman governor could do that.

The Roman governor – Pontius Pilate – wasn’t inclined to waste his time on Jewish affairs. The Sanhedrin, then, needed to prove that Jesus was a dangerous rebel and a threat to Rome.

So, in an illegal trial, the Temple leaders called in false witnesses to testify against Jesus. These people couldn’t get their stories straight. Eventually Jesus gave them what they wanted.

Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

Jesus said, “I AM.” (Mark 14:61, NLT)

Jesus again used the holy name of God – the name no Jew would even utter – in reference to Himself. This was all they needed.

They dragged Jesus before Pilate and made their accusations against Him.

Pilate was in a difficult position. He had heard of Jesus. He knew that about 90% of the people in Israel were peasants and they loved this kind and humble rabbi from Galilee. Crucifying Jesus would not be good for Pilate’s public standing. Neither would ticking off the Jewish leadership be in his best interest.

There was a Jewish tradition of releasing one prisoner during Passover. This practice was intended to serve as a reminder of their release from slavery in Egypt.

Pilate decided to invoke this tradition and offered the crowd a choice – to release Jesus or to release a murderer and insurrectionist named Barabbas, who was awaiting crucifixion for his many crimes.

Pilate undoubtedly thought that the people would choose Jesus. The Jewish leadership didn’t like Jesus, but, surely, they wouldn’t want a notorious criminal like Barabbas roaming the streets again!

Pilate thought wrong.

The Temple leaders hand-selected a crowd and instructed them to call for Jesus’ crucifixion.

Pilate tried to reason with the people but failed.

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:18-21, NLT)

Why is it that all four gospels – all four biographies of Jesus – mention Barabbas? Why include that detail?

Perhaps it’s because his story gives us a glimpse into our story.

Think about it.

Jesus – an innocent man – took the place of Barabbas – a violent criminal – on the cross.

Jesus – the one who didn’t deserve death – took the place of Barabbas – the one who did.

This is our story.

We were the ones awaiting death that we deserve.

And Jesus said, “Release him. Release her. Crucify me instead.”

The Bible doesn’t tell us what happened to Barabbas. There is no mention of him in secular history either. Did he go back to being a violent criminal? Did he realize the profound exchange that had taken place? Did he ever become a Christian?

We don’t know. What we do know is that the choice Barabbas faced is the same choice every one of us faces.

Having been offered grace – a second chance – what will we do with it?

Read Luke 23:1-25 and consider the exchange that Jesus made on your behalf.