SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
‘I have sinned,’ he declared, ‘for I have betrayed an innocent man. [Matthew 27:4] The recurring point in this reading is that Jesus is an innocent man. Judas realizes this, and despairs. Pilate realizes this, and washes his hands of the whole affair. Even the Roman soldiers come to realize this after they see Him die. Barabbas probably did not realize this, but his life serves as a stark contrast to Jesus, to show His amazing goodness in comparison. A notorious prisoner is released so that someone who demonstrated love, grace, healing and wisdom might be killed. Go figure!
The words of Jesus on the cross are a quote from Psalm 22, a prayer of a righteous man being cruelly treated and taunted. There are several other references as well: when the religious leaders scoffed, ‘He trusted God, let God rescue Him’ [Psalm 22:7-8]; when the soldiers divide His clothing by lot [Psalm 22:18]. We need to understand Jesus’ words from the cross in light of the whole psalm, which ends with hope in God’s vindication.
What was Jesus like? What was Barabbas like? Each one represents a different way of life, the Jesus way and the worldly way. Imagine a world that was run according to Jesus’ principles and practices. Imagine a world that is run according to Barabbas’ principles and practices. This is not so hard to imagine, for that is the world we live in. But the world according to Jesus, this is the kingdom of God, the world that Jesus invites us into, NOW!
We must choose. How will we live? Who will we follow? What kingdom will we seek first? Judas serves as an important reminder to all of us, since he experienced firsthand what life with Jesus was like. He mistakenly thought that a life based on worldly principles (having money, power, worldly success, etc.) would make him happy. It led him to despair and death.
Who will we choose? Jesus or Barabbas? This choice is before us today as much as it was then.
PRAYER:
Lord, I choose You. I don’t want a world of selfishness and greed and cruelty. Thank You for inviting me into Your kingdom!
All our actions have consequences. We make choices with the actions and sometimes we choose the consequence. Judas did. But ultimately, with the choices we make, the consequence is decided.
Pilate, knowing what to do, didn’t. He asked the people, whom do you want to follow – the Christ or their own gods?
Reading the passage once again, what hit me was that the graves opened and people were raised and showed themselves to many after Jesus’ resurrection! WOW! Wonder of Wonders! And still they did not believe as the guard did.
Lord, You have given me Your Word. Help me daily to live for You in all I say and do. Help me to see You this day in Jesus name, I pray.
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.