15 Now at the feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner whom the people chose. 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner [guilty of insurrection and murder], called Barabbas. 17 So when they had assembled [for this purpose], Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

Matthew 27:15-18 (AMP) 中文

Roman court continues

Jesus is being judged by Pilate, having been brought before him by the Jewish leaders. He’s also been brought before Herod by this point as Luke records (Luke 23:7-12) and sent back to Pilate. These Jewish leaders have convicted Jesus of blasphemy in their Kangaroo Court. But they know they can’t have Him executed for they don’t have this power; only a Roman ruler can do that. 

Feast Freedom

No, we’re not talking about gorging ourselves on food at a feast. Rather, Matthew tells us about an annual benevolent act of the ruling Romans every Passover. Passover represented the time the Jews were set free from bondage in Egypt so it seems somewhat fitting to release a criminal of the crowd’s choosing. The expectation is that they would show sympathy to the man convicted wrongfully or, who committed a crime to provide for his family.

So the crowd is gathered at this very time Pilate is judging Jesus. Pilate maybe feels like Jesus is being unjustly judged. Certainly, there was no Roman law He had broken. And Pilate could care less about the Jews’ religion. So here’s a way to get Jesus set free as he thinks he should be.

The choice is yours

Pilate decides to go with his idea. It’s a bit risky but worth it. He presents Jesus along with a serious criminal, Barabbas, to the crowd to ask whom to set free. I’m sure he had many other criminals in custody so the selection of Barabbas seems to be an attempt to “stack the deck” in favor of Jesus. Who would want a convicted criminal to be set free to roam the streets? You can read ahead in Matthew 27:19-26 if you can’t wait to see what happens. 

God at work

Can you see how God is intricately working in this whole process? His plan and will is for His Son to be crucified for mankind (as crazy as that sounds…and is)! Prophecy needs to be fulfilled. Jewish laws (many of their own making) need to be accounted for – as well as Roman laws and customs. And here Pilate tries to throw a wrench in the works. Not a problem.

RЯeflection

• Has God put some choices in front of you? What will you do? What did you do? How to come to a decision? Look to Him and His Word first. Trust in the Lord with all your heart… Proverbs 3:5-6. Delight yourself in the Lord… Psalm 37:4.
• Are you being tempted lately away from faith in the Lord? You may wonder, “Is He powerful enough for this situation?” Or, “Does He really care?” The answers are unequivocally yes and yes! Seek Him. Trust Him. Call out to Him. Praise Him! Don’t keep your eye on the ball, keep it on Him!