“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.” (Mark 15:6 NIV)
We can’t forget that Passover was a high holy time long before it was Easter weekend. As a minister, it’s shocking to read of the chief priests and elders exploits late into the night and early in the morning during such a sacred season. Their responsibilities should have kept them in prayer and preparation. I consider my own datebook during church holidays and I wonder how they had the time and duplicity to participate in such deceitful acts. They must have somehow become utterly convinced that they were acting it the Temple’s best interests, that the destruction of Jesus was necessary for the safekeeping of God’s house. But did they pause long enough to consult the urim and thummim? They certainly had time and access to God’s input. So often we are so certain that God’s objectives align with our own, that we don’t even stop to ask Him.
During this high holy week, there was a custom of releasing one prisoner. Was this some social nod to the Israelites escape from Egypt? Or maybe a symbolic Pharaoh, an evil army reduced to one washed up survivor? Whatever the reason, this was a holiday tradition the people requested and Pilate put up with. Pilate suggested the impressive and innocent Jesus.
“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.” (Mark 15:9-11 NIV)
What we have here is a popular vote and election interference. Turns out the enemy’s tricks are as old as time. Pilate presented Jesus: the One in whom there was no sin (1 John 3:5) but the crowd, pressured by the chief priests, chose instead to release Barabbas: the rebellious murderer (Mark 15:7 NIV).
These chief priests were powerful people. They ran the whole of Jewish society. They controlled the Temple – the center hub of Jewish existence. They oversaw the sacrificial system – the sole means of absolution for sinners. They composed the judiciary system and they managed the ever-tenuous relationship with Romans. The chief priests had absolute socio-political and religious authority. When they exerted pressure, both the crowd and the individual responded to the force of their will. The crowd may have believed the Temple leadership was acting in the people’s best interest, when in actuality it was their self-interests the priests were out to protect. They effectively swung the prisoner election that fateful Friday.
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed Him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:11 NIV)
Friends, even in 2020, corrupt people are still willing to interfere with an election. Today the people in power are the ones who control the media; social and news alike. Don’t make the mistake of the Israelites, assuming that these media moguls are for the people. We are the product being sold, not the interest to protect.
We can do better than the crowd that released Barabbas. Don’t allow media leadership to buy your vote. Turn off your screens. Get alone with God. Ask for His perfect leading in this volatile election season. We don’t need an urim and thummim, we have the Word and the Spirit. We need only the time and space to seek Him and hear His heart for our humbled nation. Don’t go to the polls without going to God first.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV)
Lord, we are living in loud and confusing times. It’s hard to hear You over the din. Give us the strength to step away from the onslaught of opinions and solicitations. Help us create time and space to connect with Your heart for Your people. Lead us according to Your good and perfect will. Amen.