The passage below from Luke was designed by the author to show how everyone is responsible for Jesus’ death.  The actively hostile are represented by the leaders of Israel, the passive politically correct types are represented by Pilate, and the people are represented by … the people.  We all fall into one of these categories.  Then there is Barabbas.  He is a murderous insurrectionist.  I don’t know many of them.  However, he represents all of us.  His sin is on the surface.  Our sin is equally horrific.  Sin is our common condition.  Jesus is substituted for Barabbas and Barabbas goes free.  Jesus was substituted for us that we may go free.  The effect of Jesus’ death is whether we accept what it has brought to us.

Luke 23:13-25

 ¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” ^{[17] [a]}

 ¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

 ²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

 ²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

 ²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Questions

1. Who did Pilate call together?
2. Which of these groups was complicit in Jesus’ death?
3. What role does Barabbas play?
4. Who do you identify with in the story?
5. How do you respond to those who say that this all took place 2000+ years ago and it’s a fabrication of the real events?