The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark 15: 6 -20

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, "Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" And they cried out again, "Crucify him." And Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him."

---Pilate: A pitiful man. He simply wanted to be someone important. Here he is, caught between the religious authorities that despise the Lord Jesus---and potential tension with his own authorities in Rome---if he cannot keep things "calm" in Jerusalem during Passover (massive crowds). He can't really set Jesus free---for the Religious Elite will cry, "We have no King but Caesar!" (as if they really mean that)---But little men always "do" the expedient thing to accomplish their ends...But God's Plan is ultimately "behind" it all (Acts 2: 23,24). Woe to those treacherous souls that lied and paved the way for the suffering of the Sinless One...God is sovereign---and man is absolutely accountable...

---Pray for those in "high places" says Bishop Ryle: A man in high places without religious principles, is one of the most pitiable sights in the world. He is like a large ship tossed to and fro on the sea without compass or rudder. His very greatness surrounds him with the temptations and snares. It gives him power for good or evil, which, if he knows not how to use it aright, is sure to bring him into difficulties, and to make him unhappy. Let us pray for great men. They need great grace to keep them from the devil. High places are slippery places. No wonder St. Paul recommends intercession "for kings and for all that are in authority" (I Tim. 2:1). Let us not envy great men. They have many and peculiar temptations. How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of God. "Seekest thou great things for thyself, seek them not" (Jeremiah 45: 5).

---Pilate: "wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas..." The rogue set free. The Holy One condemned to die? Is there no justice in the world? Well, not ultimately---but we work for it as Gospel Agents---and work for it we must. But do not be discouraged at our feeble attempts. The Living Christ will eventually change "all" for good---a New Heavens and Earth! Continue to "be" salt and light...

---Picture this: as Bishop Ryle says: We have here a vivid emblem of the manner in which God pardons and justifies the ungodly. He does it, because Christ has suffered in their stead, the just for the unjust. They deserve punishment, but a mighty Substitute has suffered for them...We are all by nature in the position of Barabbas. We are guilty, wicked, and worthy of condemnation. But "when we were without hope," Christ the innocent died for the ungodly. And now God for Christ's sake can be just, and yet "justify him which believes in Jesus."

---Pause to consider this Indictment "against" Human Nature for its treatment of the Lord Jesus (Spurgeon)

----human nature does not know good, if it had---it would not have crucified the Lord of glory

----human nature hated goodness "in" its most attractive form: The Christ of God

----human nature was guilty of the utmost folly---crucifying its best friend: The Christ of God

----human nature sought to destroy its best instructor...

"Oh---I'd have never done such a thing" Are you so sure?---"Are you born of woman?" asks Spurgeon? "I would have spoken for Him?" ---Do you speak for him now? Have you sneered at the gospel? Have you rejected it? Have you doubted Jesus power? His willingness to save? IF---we have crucified Him---Let us resolve to crown Him...

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned he stood,

Sealed my pardon with His blood, Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Philip Bliss (1875)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our Lord, Pastor Jason