JESUS OR BARABBAS?
Text: John 18:39-40.
Delivered on: May 18, 2008. Streetsboro.
Introduction.
In another attempt to secure Jesus’ release, Pilate makes an offer to the people.
John 18:39-40. “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Not only was Barabbas a robber, but he was also a murderer. Mark 15:7. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
So the people were given a choice. Jesus or Barabbas.
Of course, we know the choice that they made.
We often wonder why or how they could have made such a choice.
However, God gives mankind the same choice on a daily basis.
Of course, the choice is not Jesus or Barabbas but rather Jesus or Self.
Body.
GOD HAS GIVEN US JESUS.
Everyone loves to receive a gift.
God gives the best gifts. James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:14-15. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 9:15. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
However, just like Pilate gave the people a choice; God gives us a choice.
The fact that Jesus was offered to mankind does not mean that mankind will receive Him.
When Jesus was physically here, He was rejected by most. John 3:19. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Most people chose Barabbas. Today, most people choose Barabbas.
Any choice that is not FOR Jesus is against Him. Luke 11:23. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
You see, God sets for Jesus but the Devil sets forth other choices. Which will we choose?
OTHER CHOICES…
Some people choose STUFF.
We live in a material world.
Madonna had a hit song in the 80’s called Material Girl which rather plainly states that what matters most is who HAS the most.
This is a prevalent attitude in our country today.
Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
1 Timothy 6:6-10. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Some people choose ENMITY.
There are many who have decided that they should stand in opposition to the God of the Bible.
Much like Pharaoh. Exodus 5:2. And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”
Richard Dawkins, a leading evolutionary scientist, in His book The God Delusion describes the God of the Old Testament as homophobic, genocidal, infanticidal, egotistical, etc.
Not only does he choose not to believe in God but he actively fights against the belief that there is a God.
He is so desperate to do away with God that he states in the Movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, that aliens could have seeded life on earth.
Why would anyone choose enmity with God?
Could it be that Jesus got it right when He said that some love darkness more than light?
Some people choose LUSTS.
Lust = strong desire.
1 John 2:15-17. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
The world has many allurements.
Some are good, some are bad, and some are neutral.
Different things are tempting to different people.
For some it may be money or power. For others it may be sex. For some it may be drugs.
When we give into sinful lusts, we sin. James 1:14-15. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Some people choose FAMILY.
Some people put their family before their service toward God.
Jesus predicted that His teachings would cause problems in families. Matthew 10:34-35. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
He understood that at times, some will have to forsake their families to follow Him. Matthew 10:36-37. And ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
But thankfully, He also promises this. Mark 10:29-30. So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Conclusion.
So what will we choose?
Jesus…
Or Stuff, Enmity, Lusts, Family.
S.E.L.F.
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