Daily Devotion for Friday 25th July 2025

After Pilate had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him.  But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ They shouted in reply, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a bandit.

Reflection

Criminals are so much more alluring than saints; I’ve just finished the masterful Netflix drama You where the psychopathic misogynist murderer finally gets his just reward. The producers, however,  make the murderer an attractive, articulate, and humorous character so one is tempted to feel sorry for him.  The so-called Great Train Robbers enthralled a generation of folk yet little thought was given to the guard wounded in their raid on the train. The Kray twins have an esteemed place in London folklore yet little thought is given to their many victims; after all they were nice to their mother.  The gloom seems more attractive than the light.  

In today’s passage, the crowds cry for Jesus’ death and Barabas’ release.  Maybe Pilate knew that Barabas would be back in custody before too long – or maybe he felt that a bandit was less dangerous than one suspected of insurrection.  Maybe those who live for light and truth are just more dangerous to the powers-that-be than those who compromise with and embody evil.  Maybe accommodation and collaboration with occupying evil is less dangerous than righteous godliness.  

When we have to decide between good and evil, gloom and light, truth and lies how will we choose?  Will we cry for life or death?

Prayer

Guide us, Holy One,
when we have to choose.
Inspire us, Good Lord,
when it all seems complex and muddled.
Hold us, Gracious Spirit,
when we get it wrong.
Amen.