Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
A Walk with the Master Series
Substitute
Mark 15:6-15
Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. Mar 15:7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. Mar 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. Mar 15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Mar 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. Mar 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. Mar 15:12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? Mar 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. Mar 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. Mar 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Pilate seemed to understand that Jesus was innocent of the charges which were made against Him. He tried several times to release Jesus because he did not find any fault in Him. Pilate Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: Luk 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. Luk 23:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. Luk 23:17 For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast (Luke 23:14-17).
Pilate thought he could offer the people a choice between Jesus, who was innocent, and a known criminal named Barabbas. His thinking was that of course they would take the innocent man, but it did not happen that way. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. When the priests and the people would not agree to releasing Jesus, they chose a man named Barabbas who was a felon and murderer.
Pilate could not believe that they wanted the criminal and not Jesus, so he asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. Can you believe it? The crowd wanted Jesus killed. The reason was that they listened to the chief priest and his followers. Those religious leaders had tried for a long time to get rid of Jesus, and they finally found a way to do so. So, we see that Pilate gave in and released Barabbas to them and condemned Jesus. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Here we see the innocent taking the place of the guilty. Jesus became the substitute for Barabbas. When we see this, we understand that in reality Jesus was taking the place of all who are guilty. That is why He had to die on the cross. He took my place and yours. For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). What great love this is! Jesus is our sin substitute!!
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Bible Reading for the Year
May 30th, 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 12:20-50
May 31st, 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 13:1-17
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. On Thursday she had two lymph nodes taken out and sent to the lab for biopsy. She has an appointment with the cancer doctor in two weeks to find out the treatment plan.
Please also pray for Kenny Deans. He is continuing treatment for his leg. He will also be seeing a doctor about possible kidney stones.
Please continue praying for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She was released from the hospital on Monday with a change in her meds. She is better but still has pain. Please continue to pray for complete healing.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He was discharged from the rehab facility Thursday to go home. Please keep praying as he continues PT at home.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is having PT and is doing better.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He is about the same; he still has a lot of pain.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia