“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Mark 15.6-15
The sharks are circling the water. They are waiting for an opportunity to pounce. They now have Jesus right where they want him: arrested, before Pilate, and in a position to bring down the hammer.
Do they not know that he is a willing subject? Have they not read the Scriptures? Do they not understand that God is orchestrating the death of Jesus for their own benefit? Jesus was preparing to die for the very sinners who were putting him to death.
Barabbas was an obvious sinner. He had even murdered someone in a recent Jewish uprising. There was no question about his guilt. But Jesus, on the other hand, had only loved. He had healed, restored, and called people to repent, knowing this was for their good.
But the Jews and the crowd wanted his blood. Little did they know they would need his blood for their salvation. With it, they would have an opportunity to be forgiven of sin, but without receiving his gift, they would be forever in their darkness, death, and sin.
So the crowds shouted, “Crucify!” And when asked what crimes he had committed, they shouted “Crucify him!” all the more loudly until Pilate released the murderer Barabbas and sent Jesus off to be flogged and crucified.
The story of our Lord’s sacrifice is never easy to hear. The pain, death, and suffering are despicable. The fact that it was my sin that put him there makes it harder to watch. Jesus died for me. My sin killed him. My disobedience drove him to the cross so that I might have life today and life to come.
This morning is our final day at Revive Youth Camp 1. As I’ve said before, I help lead revivetexas.org. It’s such a huge blessing. The camp is super fun and well put together, but what makes it great is God’s anointing. I can honestly say he has chosen us for his blessing. Now, God does this for many people and many ministries. This is nothing new, but it is something special. When people come away from a Revive event, they have met with the Lord. And I ask, why is this? Why would God honor and bless us in this particular situation? I think it’s because of our belief in his word and our desperation to see and seek his face.
So today, I am giving thanks for the crucified Christ who came down to save his people and how even now God is anointing, choosing, and redeeming his people so we might know his love and tell of his story of goodness and grace.
“O Lord God, after another camp, I am bodily weary but spiritually full. I cannot think of a better way to serve Christ than to introduce others to your love. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your power and might. Allow us to know your truth and to discover your love. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in fullness and power. For you are good and faithful.”