Jesus Is Sentenced to Death John 18:38b–19:16 // Matt 27:15-31 // Mark 15:6-20 // Luke 23:13-25
Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.39But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”
40But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
Pilate recognized Jesus was innocent. Pilate had no Jewish training that we know of. He didn’t even previously know who Jesus was. He was likely a ruthless Roman soldier who had advanced to become a commander. He had no reason to care about Jesus at all. This pagan was with Jesus only a few minutes and rightly declares him innocent.
No the people, us, are faced with a clear choice. The can choose their innocent King Jesus and be free from the chains of sin forever, or they can choose a revolutionary in hopes of being free for a little while in this life.
They made the wrong choice…did we?
Lord help me to always choose you and to live a truly revolutionary life with You for all eternity. *obbs*
