Jesus Delivered to Pilate.

1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

(Mark 15: 1-15, ESV)

Devotion

This passage shows us that the crowd had a choice: two men, one guilty for murder and the other innocent. The crowd chose the murderer, Barabbas, to be released and the other man, Jesus, to be crucified. Pilate thought Jesus was innocent and gave the crowd an opportunity to choose Jesus to be released but he underestimated their hatred for him. The chief priests knew he had to be eliminated and did not want a rival against their religious authority. Their position felt threatened knowing that Jesus spoke the words and did the works that brought him the affections of the people. With that, the guilty man was set free, and the innocent man was crucified.

Now, looking at this text and what has played out I wonder- where am I during this scene? Unfortunately, I am among the crowd, the scoffers, yelling out to “Crucify him!” That is where we all are, observing this scaled down version of what is happening on a cosmic level. Jesus is the sacrifice and what is even worse than being among the crowd is that I am also Barabbas. A guilty individual being set free because Jesus gave his life…for me, for us.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for your son and your loving sacrifice. Through his sacrifice we receive mercy, grace, and are set free with a new life. Help us live each day in faith by showing the love to others that you have shown us.

Amen

Courtney York, Director of Children’s Ministry ‘Jesus’ Trial’ Lent Devotion 2026