Mark 15:9-11 “But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.”
So, the people had a choice between two rebel leaders, one to be executed and the other released, as was customary during the Passover. One one hand, we have Barabbas, arrested for playing a crucial role in organizing a revolt against the Roman occupation of their homeland, and on the other hand, Jesus of Nazareth, who came to earth to pay for our salvation with His life.
Pontius Pilate can see that Jesus is being railroaded by the “church” of the day. Its leaders, the high priests, had a crowd made up mostly of their underlings, as the followers of Jesus were either hiding for their lives, or simply unaware of what was going on. Do you think it was just coincidence that Peter was confronted by “one of the maids of the high priest?” (Mark 14:66)
Even so, and even though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, and was being pushed to the cross by the church, it was in his best interest to appease the people and crucify our Lord. And, even though at any moment He could have called in thousands of angels to free Him, Jesus died for us.
Thank you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior.
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| "Ecce Homo" (Behold the Man!) by Antonio Ciseri |
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