March 22, 2023

Mark 14:43-15:15 (HCSB)
43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss," he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!"-and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his ear. 48 But Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal, to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn't arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked. 53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes convened. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 "We heard Him say, 'I will demolish this sanctuary made by [human] hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.' " 59 Yet their testimony did not agree even on this. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?" 61 But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus, "and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven ." 63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses?  64 You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, "Prophesy!" Even the temple police took Him and slapped Him.  66 While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus." 68 But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. 69 When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, "This man is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you're also a Galilean!" 71 Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." When he thought about it, he began to weep.
 1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. 2 So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it." 3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, "Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!"  5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.  6 At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. 8 The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom. 9 So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?" 10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. 12 Pilate asked them again, "Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" 13 Again they shouted, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why? What has He done wrong?" But they shouted, "Crucify Him!" all the more. 15 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Abby Joiner
I am Barabbas. He was a murderer justly arrested. I am a sinner, rightly accused. Barabbas and I both receive the same gift. Jesus, the sinless, spotless Savior took our place and bore our deserved wrath. There is both immense joy and gratitude to be found in this gift, followed by the feeling that I am unworthy of receiving the gift of grace and being pardoned of my wrongdoing. But that’s just how good of a God we serve. He has adopted us, meaning He chose us, and has placed His wrath on His Son so that we may enjoy abundant life in Him. See Gal. 4:4-7. As children of God and former Barabbas’, we have been redeemed, adopted, heirs through God. What a privilege it is to be able to cry “Abba, Father,” literally meaning, Dad. This is the most loving and personal language we can utter. And what a joy coming from a former Barabbas.