A roan in high place without religious principles, is one of the most pitiable sights in the world. He is like a large ship tossed to and fro on the sea without com- pass or rudder. His very greatness surrounds him with temptations and snares. It gives him power for good or evil, which, if he knows not how to use it aright, is sure to bring him into difficulties, and to make him unhappy. Let us pray much for great men. They need great grace to keep them from the devil. High places are slippery places. No wonder that St. Paul recommends interces- sion " for kings and for all that are in authority/' (1 Tim. ii. 1.) Let us not envy great men. They have many and peculiar temptations. How hardly shall a rich man en- ter the kingdom of God. " Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not." (Jerem. xl. 5.)
Let us mark, fourthly, in these verses, the exceeding guilt of the Jews in the matter of the death of Christ. At the eleventh hour the chief priests had an opportunity of repenting if they would have taken it. They had the choice given them whether Jesus or Barabbas should be let go free. Coolly and deliberately they persevered in their bloody work. They chose to have a murderer let go free. They chose to have the Prince of Life put to death. The power of putting our Lord to death was no longer theirs. The responsibility of His death they pub- licly took upon themselves. " What will ye that I shall do unto him ?" was Pilate's question. u Crucify him, crucify him," was the awful answer. The agents in our Lord's death were undoubtedly Gentiles. But the guilt of our Lord's death must always rest chiefly upon the Jews.
We marvel at the wickedness of the Jews at this part
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of our Lord's history — and no wonder. To reject Christ and choose Barabbas was indeed an astounding act I It seems as if blindness, madness, and folly could go no further. But let us take heed that we do not unwittingly follow their example. Let us beware that we are not found at last to have chosen Barabbas and rejected Christ. The service of sin and the service of God are continually before us. The friendship of the world and the friendship of Christ are continually pressed upon our notice. Are we making the right choice ? Are we cleaving to the right Friend ? These are solemn ques- tions. Happy is he who can give them a satisfactory answer.
Let us mark, finally, in these verses, ivhat a striking type the release of Barabbas affords of the Gospel plan of salvation. The guilty is set free and the innocent is put to death. The great sinner is delivered, and the sin- less one remains bound. Barabbas is spared, and Christ is crucified.
We have in this striking fact a vivid emblem of the manner in which God pardons and justifies the ungodly. He does it, because Christ hath suffered in their stead, the just for the unjust. They deserve punishment, but a mighty Substitute has suffered for them. They deserve eternal death, but a glorious Surety has died for them. We are all by nature in the position of Barabbas. We are guilty, wicked, and worthy of condemnation. But " when we were without hope," Christ the innocent died for the ungodly. And now God for Christ's sake can be just, and yet "the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
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