The Crowd Chose Barrabas

The Crowd Chose Barrabas…
(Luke 23)

His name means ‘son of the father.’ He was a notable prisoner, rioter, murderer, guilty of every offense but ‘he’ was their choice. Pilate when given the option to release Barrabas pleaded with the people even the more to reconsider their request. They wanted JESUS CHRIST crucified. They rejected HIS plea and cried louder, ‘Crucify HIM, Crucify HIM.’

Matthew’s Gospel suggests the crowd was persuaded by the chief priests and Pharisees to respond the way they did towards JESUS. But, I just believe if you know someone well enough, and especially JESUS, there’s not enough persuasion in the world to convince you to want HIM killed. This is the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Accused of crimes HE didn’t commit and subjected to punishment HE didn’t deserve for the likes of us… Wherein, many, like later named Apostle Peter deny HIM whenever an opportunity to seem more popular and world accepting presents itself. Yet in still HE died, for us.

The choice of Barrabas represents the state and condition of the world today. Many don’t want JESUS. They don’t want morality, integrity, true Holiness, Righteousness, Deliverance, and to be set free. They want Barrabas. The turnup! YOLO, Be whatever you want to be. Do whatever you want to do. Do you Boo…

Don’t give us morals. Give us sin. We like the state we are in.

The cry from the people and blatant disregard for HIS innocence concerned Pilate. He, not even notably a man of GOD, knew by way of the short span of time he spent with HIM, that HE was not guilty of any of the allegations charged against HIM. I wonder how many people have even taken the time to study JESUS? Learn from HIM? And discover HIS ways before placing judgment, accepting the claims of others, or denying HIS name? If they did, I am quite sure it would be merely impossible to deny HIS goodness. They would understand why many of us love HIM like we do.

But still, they called for Barrabas. Representative of the sin they were in. “Give us the one, that won’t make us feel repented for our lewd ways and adulterous appetites.” “Give us the Gospel that doesn’t include living right.” “I’ll take your blessings. Yes, I want the house, money, clothes, and car. But, don’t give me JESUS.” I’m afraid that this is not just the heart posture of unbelievers then but many professed Believers today as well.

The question comes to mind. If they chose Barrabas then, what and who are we choosing now?

Not with words but with our lives.
Do our lifestyles reflect that we have chosen JESUS? Or has Barrabas taken president, by way of our decisions, in our livelihoods?

As we reflect on today, may we keep in mind not only the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST and what it meant then but also the POWER of HIS decision to choose our lives over HIS.

Good Friday is more than a day of remembrance it is a day of decisions. Who will you choose? #teamJESUS #GoodFriday 🫶🏾☝🏾🙏🏾🔑🙌🏾

April 18, 2025