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It was an historic contest, it is a famous contest, and it is still, amazingly, two thousand years later, a current contest— with current consequences.
The Choice
As it is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27, Verses 11-26
About 30 A.D.
(Note: According to the Biblical Evangelists Mark and John, Barabbas was a rebel, a robber, and a murderer.)
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked Him, saying, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said unto him, “Thou sayest.” And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto Him, “Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?” And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said unto them, “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?” They said, “Barabbas.” Pilate saith unto them, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” They all say unto him, “Let Him be crucified.” And the governor said, “Why, what evil hath He done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified.”
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” Then answered all the people, and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
The Consequences
“We want a man” is the cry of the world,
“A man who can put things right;
For everything's wrong, and we're all astray,
The outlook is dark as night.”
Men dream of peace and of a golden age
To which they thought they were bound;
But hopes are blighted, disturbance is rife,
And war, not peace, they have found.
That something is wrong they freely admit,
While claiming things better have grown;
But all is awry and out of control—
In weakness they sigh and moan.
If only someone would stand in the breach
And all of their problems solve,
They would support him, his name would be great,
To serve him they would resolve.
Their efforts are fruitless, their schemes have failed
To stop the cause of alarm.
The lawless masses and widespread unrest
Foretell a gathering storm.
They’re hastening to ruin, destruction’s ahead,
They’re drifting! Save them who can?
If no one is found, their hope is all lost.
They’re helpless—they want a man!
Ah! World, you see what you sorely need,
But where in distress will you turn?
You truly stand in need of a MAN,
Though just why you do not discern.
Go back in history two thousand years,
When you made that awful choice—
Rejected “The Man” who had come to save,
With one unanimous voice.
Two men were set before you that day,
Barabbas, and Jesus, God's Son;
"Barabbas, or Christ?" the governor asked,
And you chose the lawless one.
A thief, a murderer, at your request
Was chosen by you that day.
And the Holy One, the Christ of God
To death on a cross sent away.
You rejected the Man who had come to bless,
Who dried the widow’s tears.
Who healed the sick, and the deaf, and the blind
And calmed the worst sinners’ fears—
Whose word the devil-possessed set free
And brought back to life whole the dead,
The dumb, sick, and palsied were all freely healed,
The hungry filled with bread.
Who came sin’s captives to fully release,
From curse the earth to set free,
To bring to the world the salvation of God
And reign eternally.
But cast out, despised, rejected was He,
And His brow with thorns adorned.
Upon a cross He was crucified—
He was hated, maligned, and scorned.
Though refused on earth, in heaven He’s crowned,
And soon He will come again.
His enemies then His footstool will be
When He in power shall reign.
Christ is “THE MAN,” the great coming Man,
To Whom every knee shall bow;
Earth's rightful King, her true sovereign Lord,
Though scorned and though hated now!
O man of the world, would you yet be blest?
Then let the Christ be your trust;
You so need Him now! He only can save!
And bow before Him you MUST.
Confess Him now ere His anger shall burn,
Escape His wrath no man can;
Believe on Him, God's great glorious Son,
The exalted soon-coming MAN.
“We Want a Man” by E. E. Nichols
The Jews chose Barabbas. Pilate chose Barabbas. The world has chosen Barabbas. The Lord Jesus Christ was God’s choice. That is history. But, today, whom have you chosen? With whom do you plainly identify?
There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5
The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World. 1 John 4:14
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer. Acts 3:14
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.