By Pastor Jesse

The streets were packed with people. All had come to see Him. It was somewhat confusing. After all, we had just recently celebrated this man. We were just throwing palm branches at his feet crying, “Hosanna, to the son of David, Hosanna in the Highest…” and now they’re leading Him to be put on trial. We had all come to see the same person, yet it was so different from the last time we came together to see Him. 

I mean, did they not know who He was?

I can understand if He was merely someone who proclaimed to be the son of God and was just making mere statements, but this man bore witness of what He proclaimed. Miracle after miracle, he performed some incredible things in our lives. I mean, after spending all this time around Him, how could you not know? For Pilate to even ask, “Are you the king of the Jews?” seemed outrageous. 

Can you see him as Pilate approached the edge to make a statement, and uttered the words, “whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? The people with no hesitation, almost in unison said, “Give us Barabbas (Matt. 27:21).” Things had turned for the worst, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, Pilate asked the question, “What then shall we do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” 

Before you could blink, the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him (Matt.27:22).” I thought why on earth would anyone want to crucify him? But then, I too found myself getting caught up in the crowd. I too found myself going along with what everybody else was saying. I too started to follow what the world was doing and soon found myself with my lifestyle shouting, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ 

In my weakest moment, when we weren’t thinking of Him, He was always thinking of you and I.

Isaiah 53:4–5 says, “Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” 

And so, the decision that the people made to crucify him, from the angle of humanity, it was envy, and selfishness but from heaven’s perspective it was an opportunity of grace for Barabbas, and a plan to save you and me! 

How about you, were you there? If so, what will you do with Christ in your life?