John 18:39-40

Choosing Barabbas

Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts

S – What verse stands out to me today?

O – What is God revealing about Jesus?

A – How should this change my life today?

P – What is my prayer in response?

Scripture

(John 18:39-40, NLT) 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Observation

• Instead of letting Jesus go after determining that Jesus isn’t guilty of a crime, Pilate offers the Jewish leaders an option. 

• Every year, as a custom, Pilate releases one prisoner at Passover. He asks, “Would you like for me to release this “King of the Jews?”

• The crowd rejects this offer and demands he release Barabbas, a known revolutionary. This is interesting because if the goal of the Jewish leaders was to avoid insurrection (death to the nation of Israel), then the release of Barabbas doesn’t seem to make sense. Releasing Jesus would make more sense. Clearly, this is not their motive. 

• They want Jesus to die, and Pilate is the only one who can make that happen. 

Application

• The irony of this whole trial and interrogation is to get to the truth, yet the Truth (Jesus) is standing right in front of them. Pilate is literally asking the question, “What is truth?” Yet no one seems to be able to see it. God forbid I am ever this blind to the truth. 

Prayer

God of all truth! You know the standard because you created the standard. I am so glad that I can trust in you and that in you is all truth. Our world is constantly asking the question that Pilate asked. It seems that more and more people are trying to define truth according to their options, thoughts, and desires. This leads to chaos, which is what we see today. I desire to be a standard bearer for your truth. Help me to know the truth. Help me to know Jesus (the Truth) so well that a counterfeit will never make it past me. In Jesus' name, amen!  

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