Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And today's shout-out goes to Ken Lewis from Bluffton, SC. Ken, your support through Project23 helps others see the depth of Jesus' mercy. This one's for you.

Our text today is Mark 15:6-15:

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, "Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" And they cried out again, "Crucify him." And Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.— Mark 15:6-15

Picture the scene: a festive crowd at Passover, power in Pilate’s hands, two men before them. One—Barabbas—guilty of murder and insurrection. The other—Jesus—innocent of any crime.

And they choose to release the criminal while crucifying the innocent.

It’s no mistake. It’s the core of the gospel: The innocent suffers the judgment you deserve so the guilty can go free. Barabbas walks out with chains removed. Jesus enters bearing a crown of thorns and a heavy wooden beam. This is substitution. This is a scandalous act of grace, enough to shatter every expectation.

We are Barabbas. We are guilty—rebels deserving punishment. Yet Jesus takes our place.

Don’t let this moment pass as just history. Let it break you and rebuild you. Ask yourself: Do I truly understand the freedom I’ve received? Am I living like someone set free, or still chained by shame and self-effort?

You are the guilty set free. Free to worship, not work, for your acceptance from God.

Right now, write down one area where you still try to earn God’s approval by your effort. Then, pray: “Jesus, I accept that you took my place. I leave this striving at the cross and embrace your grace today.”

#ScandalousGrace, #Mark15, #Substitution

ASK THIS:

1. What surprises you most about Barabbas going free?
2. How does knowing Jesus took your punishment reshape your daily choices?
3. Where do you still feel chained by guilt or self-effort?
4. How can you live out your freedom in worship and humility this week?

DO THIS:

Right now, write down one area where you still try to earn God’s approval by your effort. Then, pray: “Jesus, I accept that you took my place. I leave this striving at the cross and embrace your grace today.”

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank you for standing in my place. I was guilty; you were innocent. Today I leave my striving behind and rest in the freedom you won for me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Jesus Paid It All."