Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
Luke 23:18-25
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
Observations and Reflections
The people were relentless in their pursuit to see Jesus crucified. They were so driven by hatred towards Jesus that they were no longer rational in their behavior or thinking. They started shouting, screaming and demanding that He be put to death. They even took it a step further and said they would trade His life for that of a known criminal who had actually been found guilty of their crimes.
Pilate again makes it clear that Jesus was completely innocent and as we can see, His death on the cross is a result of the sin that was running rampant through the hearts of those who wanted to crucify Him and our hearts as well.
They traded in a murderer for the innocent savior of this world. They had no idea that despite their instance on killing Him, that Jesus was about fulfill the greatest redemptive plan that God has ever put fourth. The control did not lie within the ranting and ravings of people who were crying out to have Him killed. Jesus was going through the motions of what God had ordained from long before.
Unlike an unrighteous murderer was traded for the life of Jesus Christ, the most righteous and holy being that has ever walked this earth traded in His own life for our sinful one. Jesus did the ultimate trade in our behalf all out love and grace towards us.
[Featured image: Antonio Ciseri’s depiction of Ecce Homo, 1871.]