Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 40-41, Proverbs 25:15-28, Luke 23:13-25, Hebrews 9:1-10 Luke 23:13-25: (23:13-16) Pilate is now insistent that because he, and also Herod, have found there to be no guilt in Jesus, that he should be set free. Not, however, before he is punished (23:16), presumably as a sop to the accusers of Jesus, intending to mollify them with at least some expression of punishment. (23:17-25) Instead, however, this attempt to gain Jesus’ release through political expedience fails. The Jewish leaders are determined to have another person released instead, Barabbas, a freedom fighter, an “insurrectionist” and a “murderer.” Pilate objects, they shout. Pilate objects more; they shout louder. Eventually “their voices prevailed” (23:23). Their cries of “crucify, crucify” had the intended effect of forcing Pilate’s hand to kill Jesus to pacify the angry crowds. Samuel Crossman (1623-1683) puts it beautifully:

They rise and needs will have My dear Lord made away; A murderer they save, The Prince of life they slay, Yet cheerful He to suffering goes, That He His foes from thence might free.

A “murderer they save” but “the prince of life they slay.” And all so that “He His foes from thence might free.” No sin too great, no deed too dark, no evil too horrific, for the blood of the Christ to set free. To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>