Justice, injustice and freedom

Pontius Pilate has insisted three times that there were no valid charges against Jesus (Luke 23:4, 14, 22), and that, 'He has done nothing to deserve death.'
But the crowds shouted and cried for his crucifixion, 'they insistently demanded that he be crucified' (v23).
And Pilate, possibly fearing an uprising like that in Cairo this week, bowed to their demands, 'and their shouts prevailed. [And] Pilate decided to grant their demand.' (v23)
And then, in the most astonishing and wonderful transaction that has ever occured, '[Pilate] released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder - the one they asked for - and surrendered Jesus to their will.'
And so the people get the one they want, the one they deserve - the insurrectionist and murderer. The rebel against the state is welcomed by the rebels against God. The innocent man is rejected and condemned to death.
But before we become self-righteous and condemn the people for rejected Jesus, we must realise that they represent a whole world in rebellion against God. Each one of us has followed our own desires and sought our own comfort at the expense of God's glory and the love of our neighbour.
And in the midst of this unholy injustice, God is doing something utterly astounding: Jesus is swapped for Barabbas. The innocent Jesus bears the punishment for the guilty rebel. And the rebel walks free.

It's a tragedy that some can read the gospels and miss what's going on here. And it's tragic that they cannot admit their guilt, be relieved of their punishment and walk free. But what joy for us whose eyes God has opened!