4/05 Matthew 27:15-18
Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)
SIN
This whole murder trial of Jesus was evil at work in the world. Now the religious leaders had whipped up the foolish populace to demand Jesus be murdered. We were there with them and just as they did we too nailed the nails into His hands and feet. Evil killed Jesus. God raised Him from the dead. He paid the price for our sin and offers us entrée to His kingdom. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.