So right now – right in this moment – might I ask you how relevant is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the things that you’re dealing with in your life? How much time do you spend thinking about what it all means to you, here and now?

Over the years, we’ve developed a real fascination with police dramas on television. I guess they kind of satisfy our desire for excitement and intrigue … and I think, too, our sense of justice. Over the years I’ve enjoyed quite a few and mostly they end with the good guys winning and the bad guys going to jail.

Although every now and then, an episode will end with the bad guys getting away with their crime. I really hate that. Even though it’s pure fiction, the injustice of an ending like that, I guess, offends my innate sense of justice. I’m sure you’re the same.

So when we come to the historical record of the trial and execution of Jesus, which shows that Pontius Pilot, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem at the time, decided that there was absolutely no reason to execute Jesus … you have to be outraged at the outcome.

Matthew 27:12,22 Then, when the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders made their accusations against Jesus, he said nothing … Pilate asked, “So what should I do with Jesus, the one called the Messiah?” All the people said, “Kill him on a cross!”

Which, of course, is precisely what happened. Of Barabbas, the guilty criminal, the murderer, they shouted, “Free Him,” and of Jesus, the innocent One, they shouted “Crucify Him”.

The mob prevailed. Jesus was beaten, spat upon, mocked and crucified. It was so unjust. So unfair. Yet strangely, God used that to satisfy His sense of justice – so that you and I, like Barabbas, could walk free.

It’s so unfair. It’s called grace.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.