Mark 15:11 – But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.

Oh, the irony, Jesus! Oh, the irony. The chief priests and the crowd were practically rioting to see Jesus crucified. They were willing to do anything to see Jesus die. They were so out of control in their thinking that they thought it was better to have them release Barabbas, a known rebel, murderer, insurrectionists, and criminal back into freedom. Their thinking makes no sense on no level. But neither does your, Lord Jesus. And for my sake and for the sake of everyone else who has, is, or ever will walk this earth, I am glad that it doesn’t. While the Jews demanded freedom for Barabbas instead of for you, you willingly gave yourself into death instead of Barabbas and me. Yes, Jesus, you willingly and gladly gave yourself up to death instead of me, so that me, me a known rebel and a sinner against you, O God, might go free. You, Lord Jesus, willingly let them have their way, so that I could go mine, free and clear, forgiven and justified. Thank you! Amen.