OUR FATHER WHOSE SINLESS SON WAS EXCHANGED FOR A ROBBER

The book of John chapter 18 verses 39 - 40 records the exchange that Pontius Pilate offered to the religious leaders who were calling for the death of Jesus. 

In view of the custom where the Roman rulers released one prisoner of their choice during the feast of Passover, he proposed an option where the people could have Jesus released to them. 

39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

The incensed crowd of the leaders of Israel loudly rejected Pilateˋs offer and demanded that the robber Barabbas be released to them rather than Jesus.

This encapsulated the concept of an innocent man being exchanged for a guilty man. A criminal worthy of death is set free while a sinless man is condemned to death.

That is what the Lord Jesus did for each of us. In our condemned state, we were on the way to death but Jesusˋ was condemned and put to death so that we could go free.

Have mercy on us O God.

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