24.201 | AN UNDESERVED FREEDOM | Mark 15:6-15 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

God’s Word for Today

21 Aug, 2024

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mark 15:6-15 ESV

AN UNDESERVED FREEDOM

The tradition mentioned here, of releasing a prisoner at Passover, is not well documented. Roman rulers may release a prisoner if a mob gathers and demands strongly, usually with shouting. This is, indeed, what the crowd of Jews do. Pilate is not offering this as a gesture of mercy. He's negotiating with a mob. It isn't the crowd but the chief priests and elders who choose Barrabas(Matthew 27:20). They convince the crowd to yell for Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion.

Not much is known about Barabbas. "Bar" means son or son of. "Abbas" means the father. Some scholars think he is an ancient-era version of Robin Hood. He is one who attacks the rich who destroy the poor Galileans with debt and take their land. He was an insurrectionist and a murderer.

It seems that Pilate presents the crowd with Barabbas and Jesus because Barabbas is so vile he doesn't think they'll choose him. But they chose Barrabas. Why? Pilate perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. Jesus, an itinerant and homeless teacher has earned the respect and authority the priests could never attain. Moreover, He has God's love and approval. Although they were witnesses to His miracles and teachings, they refuse to accept He is the Messiah.

Envy is outrageous. As Solomon says,

“Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,

but who can stand before jealousy?”[Psa 27:4]

However, the interplay of events is not random. This deeply-rooted envy that led to Jesus’ illegal or mob-led crucifixion has led to the undeserved freedom of Barrabas. He was blessed in the process. A beautiful display of God’s amazing and inexplainable grace. Indeed, the wrath or jealousy of man shall ‘praise’ Him.[Psa 76:10] Take for example God’s dealing with Pharaoh. The more Pharaoh has hardened his heart, the more God has the opportunity God was able to display His glory. Similarly, the hardness of these wicked religious leaders has enhanced the beauty of the meek ‘Lamb’, exuberating the glory of His grace to undeserving sinners like Barrabas, including us.

Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofMark