Mark 15:1-15

Be Still: As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God. (from Lectio 365)

Read: Mark 15:1-15

Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get Pilate to release Barabbas instead. (vv.9-11)

Encounter: Pontius Pilate kept his job for ten years – he must have been good at it! Two main tasks: ensure a steady flow of tax money to Rome and employ ruthless military strength to squash any signs of uprising in often-rebellious Judea. Terrorists (or freedom fighters, depending which side you were on) suffered a painful and very prolonged death, nailed naked to a cross as a warning to others.

Pilate also had to rub along - as best he could - with the very wealthy (and equally ruthless) Sadducees, the priestly ruling class in Jerusalem. High priest Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas have held a chokehold on the life of the Temple for decades: now they feel menaced by the crowds gathering round the young Galilean who is even threatening the Temple itself, turning over tables and driving out the merchants and moneychangers. This Jesus must be eliminated – and not just murdered in a back street by a lynch mob, like Stephen some years later (see Acts 7). This must be the public death of a rebel, to throttle this new movement at birth.

But only Rome can crucify, so the Sadducees take their demands to the Governor. Pilate resists, but the Sadducees have gathered a mob. When the mob screams 'if you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar' (John 19:12), Pilate fears that his days as Governor could be numbered! Much easier to accede to their demands, and to release Barabbas.

And so, we see God’s eternal purpose working out in Jesus. The sinless Saviour is condemned through sinful human politics and ruthless self-interest (Pilate’s, the Sadducees’, yours, mine…). And as Jesus, in whom no crime is found, is condemned to die, the acknowledged terrorist Barabbas (and you, and me…) escapes death.

Apply: Reflect: the Saviour is condemned, and the sinner is saved…

Devote: Lord, thank you – the Saviour is condemned, and this sinner is saved!