Good Friday

After Jesus’ arrest in the garden he was led away to be put on trial.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say trials,

as he was first interviewed by Annas late that evening (Jn 18:13),

interrogated by Caiaphas (Jn 18:24),

tried by the Jewish ruling council (Mt 27:1),

Seemingly questioned all night and with out sleep, early in the morning Jesus was

questioned by the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate (Lk 23:3),

who passed him off to Herod Antipas (Lk 23:7),

who sent him back

and finally Jesus went once again before Pilate and the growing crowds. (Lk 23:24).

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called (Jesus) Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Imagine the scene:

It’s mid morning

Crowds are gathering in the court yard of Pilate’s residence, the once palace of Herod the great.

The chief priests and scribes are hurling accusations at Jesus, and whispering lies in the ears of the people.

Jesus is sitting quietly, no doubt exhausted, but in his exhausted state, I would imagine he was praying for the people as call for his execution.

Luke 23:34 “34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Pilate stands before the increasingly agitated crowd, knowing in his heart that Jesus is innocent, how could he condem an innocent man?

On the other hand, he was to keep the peace, and the people were growing more and more upset, if he allowed a riot to ensue it could cost him his job and possibly his life.

“Maybe I can win over the people and release Jesus” he thinks

I’ll offer them Jesus Barabbas or Jesus, they’ll never choose Barabbas, He’s a murderer.

“Whom do you want released this year?”

Give us Barabbas! Barabbas!

What should I do with Jesus of Nazareth?

Crucify him!

Pilate backed into a corner asks…

Why what has he done wrong?

The crowd had no answer, they had not considered who jesus was, what he had done, and who he claimed to be. They only wanted to hold on to their power, their pride, and their way of life.

Pilate in his own estimation and the report of his wife recognized jesus as not only innocent, but righteous.

Would he do what was right, or cower in fear of the crowds?

Matthew 27:24–26 (ESV)

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

What

In what ways have we neglected to consider the true Jesus, who he is, what he has done.

Daily we must ask,

Whom do you want,

Jesus of nazareth submitting to his way of life and being embraced by his loving kindness

or

Jesus Barabbas, going the way of the world embracing pride, and selfish living taking upon our selves the harsh realities of the world apart from the love of God.

Which Jesus do you want?

Jesus of Nazareth was righteous for your sake and mine

2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Do you know who he is?

Do you know him?

He loves you, he endured the cross for you, he wants you to know him.

After Jesus’ arrest in the garden, he was led away to be put on trial. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say trials, as he was first interviewed by Annas late that evening (John 18:13), interrogated by Caiaphas (John 18:24), and then tried by the Jewish ruling council (Matthew 27:1). Seemingly questioned throughout the night without rest, early in the morning Jesus faced Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect (Luke 23:3), who then sent him to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:7). Herod, after his own questioning, returned Jesus once more to Pilate, where Jesus stood before an increasingly agitated crowd (Luke 23:24).

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas (Matthew 27:15–23)

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 They had then a notorious prisoner called (Jesus) Barabbas. 17 Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 Pilate knew it was out of envy they had delivered Jesus. 19 As he sat on the judgment seat, his wife warned him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Yet, the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 Again Pilate asked, “Which of the two do you want me to release?” They shouted, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate responded, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Pilate asked, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted even louder, “Let him be crucified!”

Imagine the scene:

It’s mid-morning. The sun rises higher as crowds gather in the courtyard of Pilate’s residence, the luxurious palace once belonging to Herod the Great. The chief priests and scribes shout accusations at Jesus, whispering deceitful claims into the ears of the crowd.

Jesus sits quietly. Exhausted from a sleepless night of questioning and mistreatment, yet even in his weariness, perhaps silently praying for those who call for his death—anticipating his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Pilate stands uneasy before an increasingly hostile crowd. He knows Jesus is innocent, a righteous man—his heart and even his wife's disturbing dream confirm it. But Pilate faces a dilemma. His duty to Rome demands that he keep order; a riot could cost him dearly.

He considers a solution: offering the crowd a choice between Jesus Barabbas, a notorious murderer, and Jesus of Nazareth. Surely they wouldn't choose Barabbas.

"Whom do you want me to release?" he calls.

"Barabbas!" the crowd roars.

"Then what should I do with Jesus of Nazareth?" Pilate asks.

"Crucify him!" they shout.

"But why? What evil has he done?" Pilate pleads. But their response is louder, more relentless, unthinking: "Crucify him!"

The crowd had no real answer. They hadn't truly considered who Jesus was, the miracles he'd performed, the truths he'd spoken. Blinded by pride, fear, and power, they rejected the very source of life standing before them.

Faced with a critical decision, Pilate cowered before the crowd's demands rather than uphold justice.

Matthew 27:24–26 describes his tragic choice:

24 Seeing that a riot was beginning, Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 The people answered, “His blood be on us and our children!” 26 Pilate then released Barabbas, and after scourging Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Reflect now:

In what ways have we also neglected to consider the true Jesus? Daily, we face the same choice:

Do we choose Jesus of Nazareth, embracing his way of love, humility, and righteousness?

Or do we choose "Barabbas," embracing pride, selfishness, and the temporary comforts of this world?

Which Jesus do you choose?

Remember, Jesus of Nazareth lived a righteous human life for our sake:

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Do you truly know Him?

He endured the cross for you because he loves you deeply. He longs for you to know and choose Him.

Jesus said in Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Let’s take a minute now to silently reflect on our daily choice to choose Christ, to deny ourselves and to follow him.

Ask

"In what areas of my life have I chosen Barabbas—embracing worldly desires, pride, or selfish comfort—rather than fully embracing Jesus of Nazareth?"

Confess those things to God, and be assured that he has carried you sins to the cross.

Then

"quietly thank Jesus for willingly enduring condemnation and the cross, choosing to take our place, so we could become righteous before God."