Tuesday, February 14, 2017: Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26 ~ Jody
Today's passage from the
Bible In a Year Reading Plan is:
Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26
Whenever I read the story of Jesus' crucifixion, I have never understood how the crowd of people called for Barabbas to be released. I've always assumed the push of human nature to protect itself - like avoiding a "notorious prisoner" being released back into society would prevail. I just chalked it up to God setting things up to happen according to His plan for Jesus to die for us. Which, of course was His plan, however the choices of the people were also evident. I noticed two things when reading this today:
- "So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up." Matthew 27:17-18 What a powerful statement! Pilate knew that they had no criminal grounds for bringing Jesus before him, but it was pure envy. This statement sat heavy with me as I think about the damaging power that envy can have over us. It can remove all logic and create hurtful emotions and irrational actions. Even Pilate could see that.
- "Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus" Matthew 27:20 This verse stuck out for me regarding the power that people in authority have - especially leaders in the church. A reminder of how important it is to pray for our leaders and always recognize God as our ultimate leader!
This whole reading gives me the chills as we see the power of a crowd following their sinful nature. A mass of people coming from a place of envy and blind following of their leaders. Oh, that we remember to always go back to the Author and Perfecter of our faith to ensure our actions align with HIM rather than our own selfish sin-nature!
Tomorrow's
Bible In a Year Passage:
Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50
3 comments:
Good point about our earthly leaders and the responsibility they have along with the reminder of recognizing God as our ultimate leader.
"Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst." - Leviticus 15:31
This verse reminded me that I too need to separate myself from an unclean lifestyle in order to have eternal life through the death of Jesus Christ.
It's so easy to let "mob mentality", peer pressure, or the guidance of those whom we trust and presume to have good advice, convince us to go against the truth. We always need to filter everything - our feelings, advice, teachings - through God's Word.
The story of Barabbas is an incredible one. It seems so backwards, as if the end of the story had a major plot twist. It should've been Jesus who was released, he did nothing wrong. Barabbas was the guilty prisoner who deserved death, he did something wrong and he needed to pay the penalty. But that's not how God saw Barabbas. God saw Barabbas as someone who needed mercy and grace, someone who needed to be saved from his sinful nature. We are all Barabbas. We are all sinful, and even though we are the ones who deserve the penalty of death, Jesus releases us. He took the punishment for us.
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