Station 8: Crucify Him!
Matthew 27:15-25
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had 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 they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to 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 with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
FOR FURTHER READING:
Luke 23:1-25
REMEMBER
The shouting. The clamoring. The anger. The fear. The hate. It filled the air like a dense smoke, choking the life out of the hope-filled joy Jesus had brought to so many. During this time of the feast, Pilate would release a prisoner back into civilization at the request of the crowd. There stood Jesus Barabbas, a terrible criminal, guilty of murder among other rebellious acts. On the other side, there stood Jesus Christ, guilty only of claims of being the Son of God while healing people and helping everyone He came in contact with. The choice was up to the crowd.
With the freedom to choose whatever they felt best for society, they shouted for Barabbas – the man who would be more harmful to society. Given the choice again of what to do with Jesus Christ, the people demanded crucifixion. Because of the fear of the unknown of who Jesus really was and what He might do, they chose to subject themselves and their families to a greater state of danger. They willingly accepted the death of their safety for the horrific fate of our Savior. Luckily, God had other plans.
Pilate wanted nothing to do with this act (though in reality, he has everything to do with it), and the people were willing to take the blame for the innocent bloodshed of Jesus. As it tends to go with Jesus, what they thought they were doing was just the fulfillment of something much greater. The same words that condemned Jesus are the prophetic words that bring salvation. He was condemned to die, and His blood covered us, giving us access to salvation and eternal life.
RECOGNIZE
When have you chosen something easier over following Jesus? Where did that lead you?
Just as their condemning words led to the fulfillment of God’s promise prophecy that Jesus would die and then rise again, He offers an opportunity for you to see new life out of the neglect of your relationship with Jesus. What do you need to confess in your life right now that is pushing Jesus out of the way, something you need Him to flip the outcome of so you can experience new life?
RECEIVE
Jesus, I am not innocent. No matter how I look at it, I can’t wash my hands of Your death, but I can be made clean because of it! Here I am, Lord, refresh my spirit and make me new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.