Irony!

Irony: “Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs.”
  The time in the life of Jesus when He was sentenced to death by crucifixion illustrates this meaning of irony…all too well. 

(NASB) Luke 23:18-19 “But they cried out all together, saying, ‘Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!’
¹⁹ [Now he (the Roman governor) was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]”

  The religious leaders and gathering crowd became a mob scene manipulated by the Jewish authorities.  Their intent and purpose?  To have Jesus crucified!

  The crowd was yelling, pushing, shoving, and acting like a mob.  First one voice then another took up the cry, ‘Crucify, crucify Him!’  ‘Release for us Barabbas!’  Just like mobs everywhere, there were probably people stirring up the emotions of that mob and the numbers increased.  Their cries became more demanding and insistent.  Their emotions were out of control. 

  Irony of the people’s wanting Jesus’ death and Barabbas released?
  The charges against Jesus: ‘incite the people to rebellion’.  He was ‘Not Guilty!’  Pilate and Herod agreed.
  Barabbas was a prisoner on two counts: for insurrection (inciting people to rebel) and murder. 
  This was who the crowds wanted released!  Irony!  How incongruous for what should have been expected compared with what actually took place.

  The Jewish authorities used that mob to gain their end – the death of Jesus.  At any cost.
  What do people do today to gain their desires?  Lies, manipulation, fears played upon…people have not changed!

  What is another ‘proof’ that God’s time and timing for His Son was on time?  What people intended for evil; God used for good, their good, your good and mine.  

  How can we be comforted in the world in which we live?  No matter what is happening in the world of politics, in the world with various economies, in nature with uncontrollable storms – God’s purpose and plan will not be thwarted…ever!
  For the living God of the Holy Bible continues to take the evil intended and uses it for His purposes and for our good. 

  As followers of Christ we can have the attitude that Habakkuk displayed in perilous times.  The following is a loose paraphrase of Habakkuk 3:17-19:
  Though our gardens do not bear fruit or ‘yield’, though our crops fail to mature and our livestock are gone, yet…yet we will rejoice in the Lord.  We will choose to have joy in God our Savior.  Why?  Because the Sovereign Lord is our strength…He gives us the ability to climb the mountains we face today.