Devotionals

The Crowd's Choice

by PamFord Davis 
04/09/19
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The crowd asked pilate to release a prisoner.

They could have requested the release of Jesus, King of the Jews.

Instead, they asked for Barabbas, a known criminal.

It was a ludicrous choice.

The man Barabbas was guilty of murder.

Jesus, Son of God was innocent and without sin.

They rejected their Messiah.

“Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Pilate answered them, saying, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. Answering again, Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify Him!’ But Pilate said to them, Why, what evil has He done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify Him!’ Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified (Mark 15: 6-15 NASB).”