The entire Old Testament points to the need for man to have a substitute for his sin. The sacrificial work done by the priests and the people providing animals for their sin and the ultimate yearly atonement by the High Priest for all the people was the precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. This need to shed blood according to the law to satisfy the judgment for sin is made clear throughout sacred scripture. The writer of Hebrews says this about the subject. "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission." (Heb. 10:22) The trading of Barabbas for Jesus is a clear picture of Jesus our substitute who died in our place. Jesus clearly fulfills prophecy as Pontius Pilate facilitates this trade off between Jesus and Barabbas. Isaiah writes of the work of Christ as a substitute approximately one thousand years prior to this event. "By oppression and judgment he was taken away: and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people." (Isa. 53:8)
Once again before His accusers Jesus exemplifies complete control and patience. There is nothing greater than an individual who claims to be a child of God following this exemplary pattern of patience and forbearance while being falsely accused of a crime they never committed. Jesus while He was in the garden declared how he would have stopped his accusers if this had been the time to defend himself from bodily harm. "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53) Jesus has declared that you and I have this same authority if necessary to ask anything within His will and He will accomplish it. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; If you ask anything in my name, I will do it." (Jn. 14:12-14) Pilate clearly abuses his power to appease the High Priest the members of the council and the crowd. Much like many throughout the ages who have found themselves in a position of power like Pilate they too have become intoxicated with their own authority to the point of abuse.
Here we have what is normally rational thinking law abiding people calling for the release of a known criminal in place of a man who has done nothing wrong. Once again we see a clear example of a hardened and depraved heart. The course of mans behavior is often found taking this position throughout history. Pharaoh hardened his heart before God and Moses to the point that it destroyed his child and much of his land and army. This fallen and bent behavior of man often can take control of him and cause personal harm and in the case of leaders cause catastrophic ruin. Jeremiah writes of man's heart and actions when left to their own way without the restraints of an almighty God. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? I the Lord search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." (Jer.17:9-10) When humans allow themselves to be void of God's direction and guidance they can fall deeper and deeper into depravity as in the case of those in leadership who accused Jesus and put him to death. Let us never choose our ways over the guidance of our Lord.
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
Thou hast not anything in which thou canst glory, but many things for which thou oughtest to humble thyself, for thou are much weaker than thou are able to comprehend. Let nothing appear great; nothing valuable or admirable; nothing worthy of esteem, nothing high, nothing truly praiseworthy or desirable, but what is eternal. Let the eternal truth please thee above all things and thy own great unworthiness ever displease thee. Fear nothing so much, blame and abhor nothing so much as thy vices and sins, which ought to displease thee more than any losses whatsoever.
Msgr. Joseph K. Parks, My Imitation of Christ Thomas a' Kempis, Brooklyn, NY, Confraternity of the Precious Blood, Pg.169
Eternal Father, I offer you everything I do this day: my work, my prayers, my efforts; my time with family and friends; my hours of relaxation; my difficulties, problems, distresses, which I shall try to bear with patience. Join these, my gifts, to the unique offering which Jesus Christ, your Son renews today in the Eucharist. Amen
Terence Cardinal Cook, Prayers for Today, Staten Island, NY, Alba House, Pg. 189