Mark 15:6-15 – Sons of the Father

Among the attendance at the Passover Feast was a disparate crowd. They were supporters of Barabbas. Interestingly, the name Barabbas means “Son of the father.” Mark tells us that he was an insurrectionist, a rebel and one who was arrested in an uprising and had committed murder. He was in prison awaiting his sentence because of his insurrection. The disparate crowd was pro-Barabbas and was from the movement for the liberation of Israel. They were aware of Pilate’s practice, to release a prisoner yearly during the Passover Feast. They came with that expressed purpose of soliciting for Barabbas’ release. This motley crowd were clamoring for Barabbas’ release because they had the mistaken idea that Barabbas had a greater potential of helping them in the fight for freedom. Otherwise why would they prefer a convicted prisoner, awaiting his sentence, to the Lord Jesus, the true Son of the Father?

The purpose of this disparate crowd was to secure Barabbas’ release, not Christ’s crucifixion. They probably didn’t even know that Jesus had been arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin. From their intention, an idea to release the Lord Jesus as a substitute to them, occurred to Pilate. The intention to release Jesus indicates that Pilate was convinced that the Lord was innocent and that He was there because of the religious leaders’ envy. Had it not been the presence of this motley crowd, the original crowd that used to follow Jesus could have accepted Pilate’s suggestion to release Jesus. Why so? The religious leaders knew that their sentiment could shift because of Jesus’ popularity. From Mark 11:18; 12:12 and 14:2, we see how the Jewish leaders all along wanted to avoid involving the crowd who were variedly blessed by the Lord’s ministry. But with this pro-Barabbas crowd they knew they would get a support to secure the Lord’s death sentence. Why? It’s because this crowd had a different agenda. They would want Jesus crucified so that Barabbas could be released. So the religious leaders instigated them to seek for Barabbas’ release.  

Here we see the plan of Pilate backfired. Having had his offer to release Jesus turned down, he could not release Jesus even though He knew that He was innocent. And the pro-Barabbas crowd with a sustained shout clamored for Barabbas’ release. Seeking to alleviate his guilt, Pilate then asked, “What do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” Their loud response was, “Crucify Him!” Pilate was stuck. His last and feeble attempt was out voiced and he gave in to their desire. He released Barabbas – the son of the father, and sentenced to death the true Son of the Father. He had Jesus scourged before handing him over to be crucified.

Here’s a thought! In a sense, each of us is a Barabbas. We all have the nature of a rebel with propensity to go against God, the ruler of the universe. We all deserve death for that act of treason. But here Jesus, the true Son of the Father, came to take our guilty place in death. He did it so that we can truly become sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. Jesus is worthy of our devotion. It’s time we bow in sweet adoration and yield in total abandonment and surrender to Him, and to love Him in return.