| “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17). |
| “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). |
| Choices! Every day we face them over and over. Most are not very important. But some are a matter of life and death. And our eternity. |
| Today’s verse in Matthew 27 is part of the story of our Lord’s crucifixion. It seems that each year at Passover time, it was the custom for the Roman governor to release to the people one of the prisoners from the jail in Jerusalem. I would imagine that then, as now, some of those being held were not guilty of the crimes of which they had been accused. Perhaps this would be a chance to give one of the better prisoners a chance at freedom. |
| Pilate (the governor) was making a choice that day, as were all the Jews of the city. Pilate knew in the depths of his heart that Jesus was not guilty of any crime, and that He was a good man. Of course, we know He was more than that! Verse 18 tells us that Pilate knew that Jesus was there because the crowd was full of envy. Envy is a terrible sin. Even Pilate’s wife had troubling dreams that night, telling her that Jesus was a “just” man. |
| So Pilate had a choice to make. Deep down inside I think he wanted the Lord Jesus to go free. So he found the worst criminal in the prison, a man named Barabbas, and gave the people the choice between him and Jesus. Quite likely he thought that at least Jesus now had a chance of being the One chosen. But “almost” to choose right is to choose wrong. The people all cried out, “not this Man, but Barabbas.” Their eternal destiny was in that cry. Naturally, our hearts are no better. |
| We know the touching and painful story of what our Lord suffered there on the cross. His blood was shed by the soldier’s spear. Later He was put into a tomb. But the wonder of the whole story is that he rose again! And now He can offer forgiveness to any and all who will repent and come to Him in faith. Yes, even those who were determined to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus could have repented and been met by His love and forgiveness. It is a choice. |
| Our second verse presents another choice. We can have accepted Him as our Savior, and yet not choose to serve Him. We will spend an eternity with the Lord Jesus in heaven. We pray that His wonderful love will draw each of us to want to spend our time on this earth close to Him, and serving Him. |
