Daily Devotional Monday 27th January 2020

by William Moody

Luke 23:13–25

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”1

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Footnotes

[1] 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival

(ESV)

Pilate continues to seek to have Jesus released as the innocence of Jesus was shining through (v13-16).

The Jews instead call for a murderer Barabbas released (v18-19) and they ignore Pilate’s pleas (v20-21). We can see here that Pilate was serious about seeking to do right by Jesus (v22) but the opposition of evil was not going to give up (v23).

Many people start with a desire to do what is right by Jesus, but the opposition that comes breaks them. Have you gone all the way with Jesus?

Pilate gives in and pleases the people, a murderer is released and Jesus is handed over to be crucified (v24-25).

In this action we see how salvation works. “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 v21.

Calvin called this the great exchange; Jesus takes our sin and we receive His righteousness. Has this been your experience?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.