Nougat 24

He paid the debt He didn’t owe

I owed a debt I couldn’t pay

I needed someone to was my sins away

So now I sing a brand new song,

‘Amazing Grace!’

Lord Jesus Christ

Paid my debt on Calvary!

Okay, okay

I may have muddled the words a bit. Even so, that’s the essence of the song – Jesus paid my debt, your debt, our debt at Calvary. That’s what truly registered with yesterday’s Nougat.

For those who desired clarification, or more details, hopefully the reflection and Today’s Holy Nougat is helpful.

“Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”” ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭15‬, ‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Released

The Passover tradition began the night before the Exodus from Egypt. It was handed down by YHWH as a reminder of what would constitute the final act that realized the Hebrews’ release from captivity. On that first Passover night, Blood over the doorpost meant salvation of the firstborn male in the household. For when the angel of death passed through Egypt, the instructions were – don’t visit those marked by the blood.

This profound act of God’s Grace was to be observed annually with a prescribed set of rituals. Among them were the sacrificing of a lamb, observing the Seder, followed by the retelling of the Exodus. Immediately after the Feast of the Passover was the observance of the 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, reminding observers that the original children were rushed out of Egypt (there’s more to the observance, but that’s for another time perhaps).

Passovers came, Passovers went, and the official rituals were observed. Other rituals were added, including the release of a prisoner. We note that this was a custom added by the Roman Governor. One can surmise that over the years, the act afforded several persons who were wrongfully convicted gain their freedom. I also dare presume that it may have signified Roman magnanimity, them releasing a prisoner during a high Jewish festival. If that were the case, it is likely that the person released would have been a community leader or defender of the poor. It was still in practice that night of Jesus’ arrest.

When Jesus’ case was brought before the governor that particular morning, it was Godincidentally aligned with the Roman Release Passover practice. Mark 15:7 and Luke 23:19 both allege that Barabbas was behind the murderous incursions against Roman rule. Thus he would have been on Death Row. When Pilate offered them that choice, he knew Barabbas’ sociopolitical identity. We are not told that the practice included suggestions from the Romans about whom to release. I assume that was Not Normative, because our Nougat says,

it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted

This is very significant, because Pilate was very clear in offering only two choices to the people: Jesus (Y’shua), or Barabbas.

Jesus Barabbas was perhaps being heroic, but he wasn’t the Messiah. In naming Barabbas, and adding Jesus before the name, Matthew knew that his audience would immediately connect the name dots – even if we didn’t. As Jewish believers, they would have been able to feel the weight of the name and the irony of the switch. In a direct reversal of the original Passover, God’s Chosen One (the Messiah) was Crucified and the Son of the Father released!

In observing the Passover, we’re reminded that at Calvary, the only begotten Son of God was sacrificed instead of the son of the father. The firstborn died for us all!

Full Circle.

Siblings, Y’shua our Messiah offered Himself as The Blood (of the Lamb) painted over the doorposts of our hearts so that we might be saved from eternal death. lord Jesus Christ paid our debt at Calvary

—

May all we seek be found in Christ