Their Voices Prevailed

In these trying times, we may do well to remember some important history lying at the center of the Christian faith. The story of Jesus is a story of the power of voices. In this season of Lent, as we approach Maundy Thursday, let us remember the incredible injustice that unfolded from the hands of religious and government leaders, and even former supporters, against Jesus. Let us grieve that humankind continues to resort to cruel intolerance over and over.

After Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested, Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and stated that he had examined Jesus and referred him to Herod who also came up with the same verdict—that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death. So, it was his intention to flog and release him.

But the crowd began to shout, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” Barabbas was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and also for murder. Pilate continued to protest that Jesus did not deserve crucifixion, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”

As they kept vehemently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified, fearing a riot and insurrection, Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. Their voices prevailed, though they could not have been more off base. They had clamored for the release of a man who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder; and pushed for Pilate to hand over Jesus for execution. Jesus, the righteous healer and teacher, was crucified as they demanded.

It is sobering.

I encourage you to take the time to read Luke 23 in its entirety and marvel at the paradox of sinners, in need of God’s Grace, shouting for the Messiah, the promised Redeemer, to be crucified. Imagine the scene as it unfolds with Pilate himself pleading for sanity—saying that both he and Herod were in agreement that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death. Yet, it was the will of the people to crucify Jesus and release a murderer. 

This sounds like a scene straight out of our news reports today, when truth seems to be turned upside down and inside out—or completely bypassed. It reminds me that we need to be careful what we demand. It is possible to be right logically and wrong morally, or right legally and wrong spiritually.

I offer this prayer of response:

Perhaps, Lord, a passage like this is best responded to with silence. We find ourselves facing a scene we cannot comprehend. Innocence declared guilty. Truth stifled by angry shouts. Release deserved but flogging ordered. A murderer released and a healer condemned to execution. No ground for a death sentence, but Jesus led away to be crucified. The God-Man without strength to carry his own cross. The God-Man dying, dead and buried. We are dismayed and bewildered even when we know the end of the story. Even when we have heard it hundreds of times, it grips us with consternation.

The only thing that makes it all make sense is our great need for forgiveness—our helpless estate as sinners, created for God and self-doomed to our selfish pursuits. Only divine love can look on us in mercy and devise a plan of salvation that is more than rational equation. Only a pure sacrifice could ever be acceptable for a divine ransom.

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man—we bless your sinless life which undergirds the paradox of God’s love reaching past our sin to procure a ransom that works—incredibly, at the hands of sinful men. We praise and bless your name for your great and wonderful mercy shown toward sinners. Thank you that our sins are dealt a mighty blow and removed as far as the east is from the west, thrown out of your sight, not to be brought back up again and again. Forgive us when we do.

Help us remember that it is your will for us to pass on the blessing you have given us to others. We are to have mercy on the sinners, as you did. We are to forgive sinners, as you did. We are even to forgive ourselves and have mercy on ourselves. Why? Because that is the way You have designed the world, and us in it, to work best.

Lord, we pray that a day will come when the voices that prevail are the voices of equality and wise justice, impartiality and respect, forgiveness and mercy. We pray for the grace to forgive and the wisdom to uphold the rights of all people to live an unfettered and meaningful life, in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.