2014 Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Death Row Pardon" Ash Wednesday -- 5 March 2014
Read Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. 16 They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”
23 But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”
But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
25 All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”
26 Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified..
TEXT: "Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:17).
The insurgent brooded as he watched the sky slowly lighten in the East. For the thousandth time he inspected the bars in his cell and the chains on his wrists; there was no escape. He knew this would likely be the last sunrise he'd ever see. Soon the soldiers would come to take him to Skull Hill.
The commanding officer ordered the cell door opened, and his two partners in crime were led off by guards. The condemned man stepped forward to take his turn. But the centurion unlocked his chains instead. "Today's your lucky day, Barabbas. You're free to go-Governor Pilate's orders. Some Galilean's taking your place."
Could you imagine being on death row, ready to march to your execution and getting a last-second reprieve? That's what happened on Good Friday nearly 2,000 years ago. The crowds demanded Barabbas be released and Jesus be crucified. The innocent man was condemned to death, the guilty man set free.
Actually, you and I are a lot like Barabbas. We are all guilty of sins against God and against humanity, and we rightly deserve the sentence of physical death and eternal torment in hell. But Jesus of Nazareth, God's Son, steps forward to suffer the penalty and punishment we deserve. He will go to the cross to take our place, suffering the hell we deserve, so God's holiness and justice can be satisfied and we can be set free.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I deserve punishment and death, yet You have freely taken my place. Give me true regret and sorrow over my sins, that I may receive the forgiveness and peace You won on the cross for all of us. Amen.
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