Would You Choose Jesus?
In this passage I am struck by the Jews' response (incited by the Pharisees) to Pilate's questions (paraphrased) "Do you want me to release Jesus?" and "Well, then what do you want me to do with Him?". When given the opportunity to choose Jesus, they not only did not choose Him, they chose a known murderer instead, someone who failed at causing a revolution, and in a way they chose to release a false messiah. But not only did they choose Barabbas over Jesus, they also wanted the real Messiah tortured and killed. The irony is amazing. The people reject the true Messiah, the Son of the living God, and choose a false messiah proven to have failed. Even after they choose Barabbas it seems possible that Pilate was open to releasing Jesus as a second prisoner saying, "Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?". But given a whole spectrum of options for what to do with Jesus, they choose the most evil extreme, yelling for His crucifixion. So I think all this begs the question... "Why?". I mean for us 2,000 years later it seems so ridiculous. How could they do this? Why was this their choice, when being offered freedom for the Son of God, they passionately pleaded for his torture and death? How could they make this choice? The text here does not clearly say why they made this choice, so any answer to the question "why?" is to a certain degree, speculation. But there is enough here for us to draw some reasonable conclusions. Augustine once said that our own personal happiness and fulfillment is behind every decision we make. God designed us this way. And seeking our own happiness isn't a bad thing. God wants us to pursue our own happiness. The Bible does not teach stoicism. But if the Bible teaches that we should pursue our own happiness, the crucial factor is our belief about what will bring that happiness. Why did the crowd chose to release Barabbas instead of Jesus? They believed it would make them happy! They believed that releasing this insurrectionist might lead to happiness, because for many, happiness would be found if Rome could be destroyed and the Jewish nation world dominators. Barabbas would have been a hero to any Jew who believed happiness would come through overthrow of the Roman Empire. Political insurrection was their agenda. Jesus didn't fit their agenda. Barabbas did. The Pharisees probably wanted Barabbas because they wanted Jesus dead. Jesus was a threat to their power and prestige. Their authority was threatened by Jesus. They believed that being seen as important and holding the seat of power were what would make them happy. Ironically, Barabbas didn't really help their agenda at all. His insurrection probably only heightened tension between the Romans and Jews, and threatened their power in Judea. But given the choice between Barabbas and Jesus, at least Barabbas was a lesser threat to their agenda of happiness through importance and power than Jesus was. Of course Pilate's agenda seems to be to keep the peace no matter what, to maintain his power as well. All parties involved in this decision pursue their own agenda of happiness. In their own way, everybody believes power and authority is what will provide fulfillment. Everybody is either trying to attain (Jews in the crowd) or maintain (the Pharisees and Pilate) their power. This was their agenda, and Jesus only got in the way. They believed with everything in them that their goal of happiness could be attained through power. Through authority. Through importance. Through control. This was the means to their happiness. And so we must ask, were they right? Does their belief correspond to reality? Is power and control in this world at the cost of rejecting God's Son really going to result in their ultimate happiness? Absolutely not! What is true about where ultimate happiness is really found. What does God's word say about this? John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Rev. 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 6:50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. Jesus offers a fountain of living water. Jesus offers abundant life. Jesus offers eternal life. So we each have to ask the question... what do we really believe will make us happy. Is it our own agenda? Power? Control? Money? Fame? Or is ultimate joy found in knowing Jesus, having a right relationship with him. This is what it means to be a true Christ-follower. It is not enough to simply say I believe in Jesus. It is not enough to say I agree with this certain set of doctrines. Let me ask you this question, does how you are living your life show that you believe that true fulfillment is in knowing and following Jesus? Or do you simply "believe" a set of doctrines and pursue something or someone other than Jesus for your happiness and fulfillment. The crowd that chose Barabbas may seem ridiculous to us. But if you don't believe following Jesus and knowing Him is worth it, then you are no different than the people in that crowd that chose a false messiah and a failure over the living God.
Created over 2 years ago
