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马太福音27:11-18: 11耶稣站在巡抚面前，巡抚问他说：“你是犹太人的王么？”耶稣说：“你说的是。”12他被祭司长和长老控告的时候，什么都不回答。13彼拉多就对他说：“他们作见证告你这么多的事，你没有听见吗？”14耶稣仍不回答，连一句话也不说，以致巡抚甚觉希奇。15巡抚有一个常例，每逢这节期，随众人所要的，释放一个囚犯给他们。16当时，有一个出名的囚犯叫巴拉巴。17众人聚集的时候，彼拉多就对他们说：“你们要我释放那一个给你们？是巴拉巴呢？是称为基督的耶稣呢？”18巡抚原知道，他们是因为嫉妒才把他解了来。
“耶稣·巴拉巴”这个名字是否让你感到惊讶？没有很多译文提到“巴拉巴”的全名。我也不确定为什么新国际版（NIV）这样做了，因为这个名字只出现在几个希腊文的文本里。我很高兴我们现在手头有如此多的文本，而且我的希腊文圣经也能够帮助我辨别文本中的异读。巴拉巴似乎是个罗马政府在押的暴力反叛分子。他恐怕是大家不希望出现在街道上的那种人。
但是还是让我们关注一下彼拉多吧。这位“王”正站在万王之王的面前。彼拉多不过是个见风使舵的政客，他随时举起手看看风往哪边刮。国王和巡抚的职责是确保正义得到伸张，恶者被惩罚，无辜者被释放。他早就知道，他们是因为私利才把耶稣押解了来。犹太宗教领袖担心他们会失去权势以及对百姓的影响力。
一方面是犹太宗教领袖中歪曲事实的政治家，一方面是试图掩盖其错误的职业政治家，在此衬托下是我们的耶稣，上帝无辜的羔羊，公义的万王之王，全地的审判者。对于人群中的百姓、彼拉多的妻子和守卫的罗马士兵，这一切看上去就像是一场混乱。但是在耶稣的心思意念中，这一切都是在按计划—上帝的计划—行事。
当我们为下一个选举年度做准备的时候，幸运的是我们知道万王之王仍在掌权。今天的新闻主题似乎在告诉人们：全世界的命运都会受到这次选举的影响。不要陷入这类炒作宣传。耶稣仍然在掌管一切。那位允许自己被逮捕并为我们钉十字架、且复活并坐在上帝右边的上帝之子，不会让我们失望。
祷告：主耶稣，今天当我看到你站在彼拉多的公堂之上的时候，我再次感到稀奇。你原本可以差派几个营的天使来拯救你，或者只说一句话来毁灭你的敌人。但是你却平静、安详地选择了受苦，并为我而死。感谢你做出的牺牲，感谢你今天仍在上帝的右边统管万有。在今天这个充满罪恶的混乱世界，你是我的磐石，我的拯救。阿们。
Matthew 27:11-18: Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
Does “Jesus Barabbas” take you by surprise? Not many translations carry this second name for Barrabas. I’m not sure why the NIV does, because it is found in only a few of the Greek texts. I’m thankful we have so many texts available and my Greek Bible can help me sort out the variant readings. It seems that Barabbas was some kind violet rebel that the Romans were holding. He was probably not someone the people would have wanted on their streets.
But let’s look at Pilate for a moment. This “king” was standing before the King of kings. Pilate was nothing more than an opportunist politician who put his hand up to see which way the winds were blowing. Kings and governors are supposed to see to it that justice is done, that the evil are punished and the innocent are set free. He knew that they handed over Jesus for selfish reasons. The leaders of the Jews were afraid of losing their power and influence over the people.
Against the backdrop of crooked politicians among the Jewish leaders and a career politician trying to cover up his blindside, we have Jesus, the innocent lamb of God, the righteous King of kings and the Judge of all the earth. It must have seen like chaos to the people in the crowd, to Pilate’s wife, and to the soldiers standing guard. But in the heart and mind of Jesus, it was all working out according to plan – God’s plan.
As we gear up for the chaos of another election year, it’s good to know that the King of kings is still in charge. The story line in the news today seems to be that the fate of the whole world will be determined by this election. Don’t get caught up in that hype. Jesus is still in control. The Son of God, who allowed himself to be arrested and crucified for us, who rose and sits at God’s right hand, will not disappoint us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am amazed again today to see you before Pilate’s court. You could have sent legions of angels to rescue you, or just spoken a word to destroy your enemies. Instead, you calmly and quietly chose to suffer and die in my place instead. Thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for ruling all things from God’s right hand today. You are my Rock and my Salvation in his chaotic world of sin. Amen.