King of the Jews

From John MacArthur Hebrews Commentary:At the end of that eventful Passover week when Jesus was finishing His ministry, the Romans had prepared three crosses for three criminals. On two of the crosses, thieves were to hang. The third cross was for an insurrectionist named Barabbas, who had been found guilty of treason against the empire. But Barabbas never made it to the cross. He was guilty and condemned, but he was not executed- because someone took his place. On the middle cross that day hung not a violent, profane rebel, but the sinless Son of God. Barabbas went free not because he was innocent, but because Jesus took his place. Jesus was crucified not because He was guilty, butso that He could take Barabbas' place- and the place of every other sinner.

He poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
(Is. 53:12)

My Lord, what love is this
That pays so dearly
That I, the guilty one
May go free!

And so, they watched Him die
Despised, rejected
But oh, the blood He shed
Flowed for me!

Amazing love, what sacrifice
The Son of God, given for me
My debt He pays, and my death He dies
That I might live, that I might live!
(Bebo Norman)