Guilty and Innocent

## Accused

When I look back on my life, I remember a few instances where someone accused me of something, only to find out later that they were mixed up with the very thing they accused me of. It takes me back to where Jesus tells us that before we go to someone and tell them to get the dust out of their eye, we should look at ourselves and remove the log in our own (Matthew 7:1-6). As much as the Pharisees felt they were being righteous by stopping the talk that Jesus was the Messiah they were waiting on, they are (along with the other people who witnessed the works of Christ) displaying this same idea I mentioned. In verse 19, Luke tells us that Barabbas was in prison as a criminal, a riot starter, and a murderer. In the Gospel of John, it's added that he is also a robber (John 18:40), which could also be translated as revolutionary; and either interpretation could be argued with a good case.

## Barabbas

## Pharisees

## Jesus

Was part of or Was part of or Never caused a riot/ caused a riot caused a riot people came to Him to be healed or to listen

## Was a criminal Were criminals

(robber) (robberscharging a lot for sacrifices)

## Never committed a

crime/ He even paid taxes to Caesar (never stole)

## Released

from Asked for Died for no cause just punishment

## Barabbas’ release the request of the

people The Pharisees and Barabbas were so similar. They didn't want to send themselves to be punished and thought their own righteousness would set them free. No one seemed to grasp that the only One who could truly set them free from a crime was the man they wanted to be removed from the equation. The Pharisees were guilty, thus wanted the guilty freed. They accused Jesus of the very thing they were portraying.

## Self-Check

You and I are guilty of crimes, whether they are known or not. We may have been like the Pharisees or like the person I told of earlier who wanted to accuse me of the very thing he was guilty of. He set us free and took our punishment, even when our actions said: "Crucify the innocent One." Let's take time out of our day, every day, to just say thank you to the One who opened the prison doors and gave us freedom.

## Pushing Buttons