AN INNOCENT MAN

Let’s spend some time taking a closer look at the characters in Jesus’ trial. Remember, He’s been accused by the religious leaders and brought before Pilate, with an angry, ugly mob watching on. 

Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor of the Jewish Province, the man in charge of this epic drama. He wasn’t persuaded by the religious leaders’ arguments. In fact, he repeatedly finds Jesus not guilty. In John 18:38 he says, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” 

Here was an objective man with strong legal instincts. But Pilate was ultimately a weak man, because he gave in to the crowd.

Now, the other interesting player in this dramatic scene is Barabbas. His name literally means “son (bar) of the father (Abba)”. Don’t miss that; it’s significant, but we’ll come back to it later, Barabbas was a crook. Matthew 27:16 calls him a “...notorious criminal”. Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19 tell us that Barabbas had committed murder in an insurrection. 

So here we have it: a notorious criminal and murderer, Barabbas, versus Jesus Christ, innocent before God and man.

“Huge crowds had followed Him, listened to Him, marveled at Him, seen Him heal countless people. When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.” (John 2:23)

Those same crowds, just a few days before this mockery of a trial, were shouting Christ’s praises, literally calling Him the King of the Jews, their Messiah, their Saviour. And yet, just a few days later, manipulated and whipped up by the religious leaders, they’re calling for His blood. 

Jesus was clearly innocent. Barabbas was clearly not. It’s difficult to imagine a greater travesty of justice.

But let’s zoom in on the switcheroo: the unjust substitution. Barabbas was the murderer who should’ve gone to the cross. Instead, he was set free and the innocent Jesus was crucified in his place.

Barabbas – the son of the father – saved by Jesus – the Son of the Father.

Barabbas deserved it, but Jesus wore it. Barabbas was the murderer, but Jesus was killed.

And who judged them? Not Pilate. It was the mob! The very people whom Jesus had come to set free. His own people whom He’d healed, taught, and even then, loved. They were the ones who turned against Him… they were the ones who crucified Him. 

So what does that mean for you and me?

LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS 

• How has “zooming in” on the trial scene impacted your heart? How has it changed the way you think about Easter?
• If you’d been there on that Passover, if you’d seen and heard what had gone on, would you have been part of that angry crowd, calling for Jesus’ blood? Why do you think that?
• Put yourself in Jesus’ shoes. What do you think was going through His heart and mind during this terrible time? Why? Do the same for Barabbas and ask yourself the same questions.
• What is God saying to you about the relationship between Jesus and Barabbas? Take some time to draw aside and ask the Holy Spirit to write the Easter message on your heart.