Ezekiel 18: 27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
On the occasion of the Passover, they would pardon someone arbitrarily without the conditions set forth in the Scriptures being applied to the case. Thus, a convicted felon could be eligible for pardon without confessing that he had done wrong, and without an effort to turn away from his sins, as God stipulates. Pardon is conditional, and it is not something to be trifled with or to be taken lightly, because it involves letting persons off of the hook, for wrongs and sins committed.
Therefore, in the clearest terms the God of heaven lays out the way in which forgiveness is to be granted. Any deviation from the Scriptural stipulation is the equivalent of sitting in the seat of God, or usurping the authority and prerogatives which belong to God alone. But here comes Barabbas who never confesses any sin, he does not turn away, and he does not even consider or reflect on the evils he has done.
There’s no deep soul-searching on his part, and no remorse as when a person takes an introspect look at his or her deeds. Yet, he is pardoned by Pilate, for no other reason than the people clamoring for his release. There is not one iota of justice in the act of letting him go free, it’s just Pilate wielding power that was never granted him by God. It was, and is a practice of human devising but it has no foundation whatsoever in the Bible.
1st John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!