What Jesus Did! 'Their Voices Prevailed' — Luke 23:17-25

Friday, December 18, 2015

But all the people shouted, "Kill him! Let Barabbas go free!" (Barabbas was a man that was in jail because he started a riot in the city. He had also killed some people.) Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free. So again Pilate told them that he would let Jesus go. But they shouted again, "Kill him! Kill him on a cross!" A third time Pilate said to the people, "Why? What wrong has he done? He is not guilty. I can find no reason to kill him. So I will let him go free after I punish him a little." But the people continued to shout. They demanded that Jesus be killed on the cross. Their shouting became so loud that Pilate decided to give them what they wanted. The people wanted Barabbas to go free. Barabbas was in jail for starting a riot and for killing people. Pilate let Barabbas go free. And Pilate gave Jesus to the people to be killed. This is what the people wanted.
— Luke 23:17-25
Illustration of Luke 23:17-25 — "Why? What wrong has he done? He is not guilty. I can find no reason to kill him. So I will let him go free after I punish him a little."

Key Thought

Pilate didn't have the will to buck the crowd's will. Instead, he read the poll numbers and followed the will of the crowd rather than doing the right thing. So Pilate "delivered Jesus over to them to do as they wished." They had requested that a murderer be released and Jesus be crucified. As insane as this seems, this is what often happens when the crowd determines the agenda. All throughout Jesus' ministry, the crowd has sought to possess him and make him into what they wanted him to be. Jesus wouldn't let them. Now the crowd will call for his death because they couldn't make Jesus do their bidding. The crowd gets its wish with Pilate. Will the crowd get its wish with us and with our lives? Or will we choose Jesus and the way of the Lord? Let's remember that the way of Christ is quite often unacceptable to the crowd. If we ever doubt this truth, all we have to do is to be reminded of the Cross and the Savior.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, help me never base my life on the will of the crowd, but to have the courage to live the way of the Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Pilate called all the people together with the leading priests and the {Jewish} leaders. Pilate said to them, "You brought this man (Jesus) to me. You said that he was trying to change the people. But I judged him before you all. I found no wrong that he had done. Jesus is not guilty of the things you say. Also, Herod found nothing wrong with him; Herod sent Jesus back to us. Look, Jesus has done nothing wrong. He should not be killed. So, after I punish him a little, I will let him go free." But all the people shouted, "Kill him! Let Barabbas go free!" (Barabbas was a man that was in jail because he started a riot in the city. He had also killed some people.) Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free. So again Pilate told them that he would let Jesus go. But they shouted again, "Kill him! Kill him on a cross!" A third time Pilate said to the people, "Why? What wrong has he done? He is not guilty. I can find no reason to kill him. So I will let him go free after I punish him a little." But the people continued to shout. They demanded that Jesus be killed on the cross. Their shouting became so loud that Pilate decided to give them what they wanted. The people wanted Barabbas to go free. Barabbas was in jail for starting a riot and for killing people. Pilate let Barabbas go free. And Pilate gave Jesus to the people to be killed. This is what the people wanted.

Luke 23:13-25

Related Scripture Readings

Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Many people believed in Jesus because they saw the miracles he did. But Jesus did not trust them. Why? Because Jesus knew the things people were thinking. Jesus did not need any person to tell him about people. Jesus knew what was in a person's mind.

John 2:23-25

The people saw this miracle that Jesus did. The people said, "He must truly be the Prophet that is coming into the world." Jesus knew that the people wanted him to become king. The people planned to come get Jesus and make him their king. So Jesus left and went into the hills alone. That evening Jesus' followers went down to the lake (Lake Galilee). The people found Jesus on the other side of the lake. They asked Jesus, "Teacher, when did you come here?" Jesus answered, "Why are you looking for me? Are you looking for me because you saw me do miracles that prove my power? No! I tell you the truth. You are looking for me because you ate the bread and you were satisfied (full). Earthly food spoils and ruins. So don't work to get that kind of food. But work to get the food that stays good always and gives you life forever. The Son of Man will give you that food. God the Father showed that he is with the Son of Man."

John 6:14-16, 25-27

"It is bad when all people say good things about you. Their fathers always said good things about the false prophets.

Luke 6:26

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.

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