Despair
in the Judgment Seat
16 And they had then a notable
prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were
gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they
had delivered him.
Barabbas was, indeed, a notable prisoner – not notable for his philanthropy,
but for his criminal and moral perversity. Yesterday, we examined two men of
very different character – both denied Christ by their actions – Peter and
Judas. But Peter denied out of weakness of courage; Judas, on the other hand,
out of malice and premeditation. Peter repented with bitter tears, and Judas
repented to other men, not God whom he had offended. To be precise, Judas
repented to himself! It was “himself” that led to the egregious sin of betrayal
to begin with. It is unlikely that self can undo the guilt that self has
created. We discovered that we were like one, or the other, of these two men.
We may, at times, have been Judas, and at other times, Peter. But what is
important is the one you BECAME in Christ. Peter was not a rock, but a stone,
chipped off that Great Rock which was Christ.
On this Tuesday of Holy Week, we continue to study about the incapacity of man
to do justice and work righteousness in two personalities – Pontius Pilate and
Barabbas! I will ask you at the conclusion of today’s devotion which of these
two men best represents YOU!
The Roman governor began the day in darkness having been aroused from his bed
sometime after midnight. He was not in a sociable mood to say the least. He had
suffered many disputes with the constant nagging and petulance of the Jewish
leaders. Now they awaken him in the early hours of the morning with yet another
trifling complaint about a man of whom he had heard little, but of what he had
heard, the man was simple a good man who never hurt a flea.
His wife had seemingly heard more of Jesus than Pilate. Her
name was Claudia Procula, granddaughter of Augustus Caesar, according to the
Gospel of Nicodemus – an apocryphal book that is not canonical, but may shed
historical light on the period. Shortly after her husband had rushed to the
Judgment Hall, Procula had a disturbing dream. Perhaps she overheard some
detail of the reason for her husbands hurried departure, tried to sleep again,
but was awakened by a prophetic dream. Being a good wife, and perhaps more
spiritual than her husband, she rushed to have a message carried to Pilate just
as he sat down on the Judgment Seat! “19 When he was set down on
the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with
that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of
him.” But the reality
of a host of cynical Jewish priests, elders, and a multitude gathered, had
greater impact than a dream of his wife. After all, Pontius Pilate was a
political official and not necessarily an honorable statesman. He played to the
crowds and numbers that would keep peace with Caesar. And Pilate was, as well,
a PRACTICAL man. Never let trifles – even if unjust – ruin a blossoming and
handsome career.
Pilate already knew exactly what the Jewish rulers desired,
but he thought he might assuage them in some little way from their evil
intentions. 11 And Jesus stood before the
governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
12 And when he was accused of the
chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him,
Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a
word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Pilate marveled because he had never had a defendant come
before him facing such horrendous circumstances who would not offer at least
SOME word in defense. The silence of Christ in His own defense was in accord
with the 700 year old prophecy of Isaiah: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not
his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her
shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison
and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out
of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
(Isaiah 53:7-8) It seems clear Pilate would have relished some word of
justification from Christ that would have provided him an argument to release
Jesus.
Pilate mulled over the situation. He needed more than simply
the solution that would satisfy justice since these men were not before him to
achieve justice, but murder! The solution must be a ‘political’ one. I am not
sure if Pilate was Republican or Democrat, but he knew his politics
nonetheless. Suddenly, a man’s name came to his mind that caused hope to grow
from the shadows of the morning – Barabbas. Most often, the mention of Barabbas’
name evoked reprehension and disgust, but now it was a very sweet thought to
Pilate. No one, Pilate surmised, would prefer Barabbas to be set free over the
innocent Jesus! Aha! That would be Pilate’s solution to the dilemma – or so he
thought!
15 Now at that feast the governor
was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16 And
they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were
gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they
had delivered him.
It is even now completely plain and clear Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and
that jealousy and envy was the motivation for these Jewish leaders demanding
His death. Pilate was feeling pretty good about his plan until the next shoe
fell: 20 But the chief priests and elders
persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said
unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said,
Barabbas. The
mention of Barabbas as the man to be released sent chills up the back of
Pilate.
In our modern day society, Pontius Pilate would be
considered a better-than-average public official. He was a fair-minded fellow,
but he lacked courage and conviction. He persisted in his attempt to release
Jesus: 22 Pilate saith unto them, What
shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let
him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what
evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. I know that the mob before Pilate was boisterous, but Pilate
had the Praetorian Guard upon which to call to settle the issue, but he failed
of character and courage. 24 When Pilate saw that he could
prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and
washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of
this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people,
and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
Pontius
Pilate
1.
Powerful governor of Judaea.
2.
Was politically minded.
3.
Tried to set Jesus free.
4.
Finally, surrendered to injustice for
the sake of polity.
5.
Vainly attempted to wash his hands of
the innocent blood of Jesus, but washing one’s hands is not sufficient to
remove guilt of weakness of character.
Barabbas
1.
Barabbas was a hardened criminal – a murderer and
insurrectionist. 7 And there was
one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with
him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
(Mark 15:7)
2.
Perhaps Barabbas was the most guilty
fellow in Jerusalem, since you and I were not present at the time.
3.
Barabbas was destined to die on the
cross that had already been prepared, but which Jesus bore.
4.
There was no just reason why Barabbas
should have been set scot-free, and Jesus should be put to death being without
a single sin. The VERDICT: Barabbas – GUILTY but set free! Christ – INNOCENT
but CRUCIFIED in the stead of Barabbas, and you and me.
Now, my friends, which of these two men best represents YOU
and ME? I would like to believe Pontius Pilate since he at least made some
effort to set Jesus free; but I would be wrong. Jesus died in the place of
Barabbas just as He died in the place of you and me. But, you declare, “I am
not guilty of any sins approaching those of Barabbas!” Yes, you ARE! You are a
murderer, and adulterer, a liar, and a thief! Yet, Jesus died in your place on
the cross. Let me see if I can make a solid closing argument on your guilt and
mine: 10 For whosoever shall keep the
whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James
2:10) The Ten Commandments are a seamless
garment. Break one, the entire Law
is broken.
Have a meaningful Holy Week, Mr. & Mrs. Barabbas!
