Read Luke 23:13-25
PILATE HANDS JESUS OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED
Jesus was tried six times, by both Jewish and Roman authorities, but He was never convicted of a crime deserving death. Even when condemned to execution, He had been convicted of no felony. Today, no one can find fault in Jesus. But just like Pilate, Herod, and the religious leaders, many still refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord.
Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the crowd loudly demanded His death; so Pilate sentenced Jesus to die. Now doubt Pilate did not want to risk losing his position, which may have already been shaky, by allowing a riot to occur in his province. As a career politician, he knew the importance of compromise, and he saw Jesus more as a political threat than as a human being with rights and dignity.
When the stakes are high, it is difficult to stand up for what is right, and it is easy to see your opponents as problems to be solved rather than as people to be respected. Had Pilate been a man of real courage, he would have released Jesus no matter what the consequences. But the crowd roared, and Pilate buckled. You are like Pilate when you know what is right but decide not to do it. When you have a difficult decision to make, don’t discount the effects of peer pressure. Realize beforehand that right decision could have unpleasant consequences: social rejection, career derailment, public ridicule. Then think of Pilate and resolve to stand up or what is right no matter what other people pressure you to do.
Barabbas had been part of a rebellion against the Roman government. As a political insurgent, he was no doubt a hero among some of the Jews. How ironic it is that Barabbas, who was released, was guilty of the very crime Jesus was accused of.
Who was Barabbas? Jewish men had names that identified them with their fathers. Simon Peter for example, is called Simon son of John. Barabbas is never identified with his given name, and this name is not much help either: Barabbas means, “Son of daddy,” or “Son of Abba.” He could have been anybody’s son. Barabbas committed a crime. Because Jesus died in his place, this man was set free. You, too, are a sinner and criminal who have broken God’s law. Like Barabbas, you deserve to die. But Jesus had died in your place, for your sins, and you have been set free. You don’t have to be a very important person to accept your freedom in Christ. In fact, thanks to Jesus, God adopts us all as His own sons and daughters and gives us the right to call Him Father.
When Pilate said he would have Jesus flogged, he was referring to a punishment that could have killed Jesus. The usual procedure was to bare the upper half of the victim’s body and tie his hands to a pillar before whipping him with a three pronged whip. The number of lashes was determined by the severity of the crime; up to 40 were permitted under Jewish law. After being flogged, Jesus also endured other agonies. Hes was slapped, struck with fists, and mocked. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and He was beaten with a stick and stripped before being hung on the cross.