Jesus or Barabbas? Who would you choose if this happened today?
The question of choosing between Jesus, who represents righteousness and spirituality, and Barabbas, who represents darkness and criminality, is symbolic.
Taking the Place of Barabbas
Matthew 27:15–18
15 Now, at the feast, the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time, they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy
Who would you choose today?
Jesus or Barabbas? Who would people choose today? Jesus represents righteousness, but Barabbas represents darkness. On the day Jesus stood before Pilate, the crowd chose Barabbas. God is calling all people to choose Jesus. Matthew 27:15–18
The biblical story is found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew 27:15–26, where Pontius Pilate offers the crowd a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious criminal.
The choice made by the crowd in that historical context reflects how people would choose today. The decision made by the crowd in favor of Barabbas is often seen as a representation of humanity’s flawed judgment and the tendency to select the familiar or the worldly over the divine.
The question of choosing between Jesus, who represents righteousness and spirituality, and Barabbas, who represents darkness and criminality, is symbolic. Today, people’s choices might vary widely based on their beliefs, values, and perspectives. Some might resonate with the teachings of Jesus and choose righteousness, while others might be drawn to different ideologies or lifestyles.
The story above serves as a reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil and individuals’ choices.
Choosing Life over Death
God has given humanity free will, which means they can choose and make decisions based on their own will. When God spoke the universe into existence and eventually formed man in His image, He gave man the gift of free will so that man could choose wisely, knowing that with every decision came consequences.
Jesus came to offer Himself to save us and provide humanity eternal life. John chapter 1, verses 4-5 tells us that 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Christ came to give us life eternal and that life is light so that we may no longer walk in darkness but choose life.
Choosing Jesus Christ as our Savior and the salvation of humanity would be a great choice to make than going off emotions and sticking with darkness or Barabbas.
People who die and enter Hell immediately regret not choosing life over death because going to Hell means that those who die without salvation in Jesus Christ chose death or darkness over light or life.
Today, God reminds us again about our choices: Jesus or Barabas.
Is it life or darkness?
Failure to come to Christ in surrender and repentance before Him as your Savior indicates your choice and God deems that failure as your choice of Barabbas instead of Jesus the Messiah.
Your soul is at stake if you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and if you were to die today without choosing Jesus, then the alternative would be an eternity in a place of destruction called Hell.
It is a place so wrong and indescribable that you would not wish even your worst enemy to go to. Still, people elect to go there because of procrastination and regret it every second of the minute for eternity.
Choosing Jesus today will ensure that your soul is saved, and if death comes, it will not worry you since God has already entered your name into the Book of Life.
Author
Evangelist Peter Gee, Host of The Everlasting Gospel Program at Jesus Christ Only TV
