MESSAGES
Jesus or Barabbas? (Matthew 27:16-22)
Matthew 27:
17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
In the verses above, we see the terrible and final trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who ended up giving in and condemning him to death by crucifixion.
We know that one of the factors that led the priests to arrest Jesus was their PERSONAL INTERESTS. They wanted to keep their influence and authority over the people. They weren't interested in the signs and wonders Jesus performed, nor in his words — words so extraordinary that even their own soldiers admitted that no one had ever spoken like Him. What really mattered to them were their PERSONAL INTERESTS.
John 7:46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”
John 11:48 “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
Only Pilate, as the Roman governor, had the authority to sentence someone to death. And, according to his own words, he found no reason to condemn Jesus — he even called him a righteous man. However, his PERSONAL INTERESTS also spoke louder than his desire to do justice according to his own judgment.
Matthew 27:24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”
The crowd, influenced and manipulated by the priests, chose to free a murderer and troublemaker named Barabbas, rejecting Jesus.
Matthew 27:20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Maybe you have read up to this point and felt outraged by the people's choice. But, unfortunately, many around us continue to make similar choices: they choose the DEVIL instead of GOD, they choose SIN instead of FAITHFULNESS, they choose DEATH instead of LIFE, they choose their PERSONAL INTERESTS instead of GOD'S INTERESTS.
Don't despise Jesus' sacrifice and his Word.
Deny yourself and truly follow Jesus — not just in appearance — because that is the path to salvation.
Mark 8:34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
