Matthew 27:17

 

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?  Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

 

There are times when we simply have to ask questions!  Sometimes it is because of a person’s actions, or the words they speak!  There are some questions in the Holy Bible we still need to answer.  Pilate asked a question of the Jewish community that still stands today: Whom do you want me to release unto you: Barabbas or Jesus? 

 

When the believer awakes from sleep and prepares to face the world another day, he/she is faced with this question.  Whom are you releasing in the world today?  Will it be “you” or Jesus?  Barabbas was a known criminal…a vile robber and murderer!  He was known for his evil actions which cause the Roman government to look on the Jewish community as a band of trouble makers.  The old person…the unsaved me…the selfish, stubborn, foolish, prideful, and dead works me is a form of Barabbas!  Whether you agree or not, you must agree that person you were before Christ came into your heart is not person you want to stand before the judgement seat of Christ!  If that is the case, that old person is a Barabbas! 

 

Jesus on the other hand was viewed as a humanitarian and moral teacher, but Pilate goes a step farther by stating Jesus is called the Christ.  As a human being living in a community with others, one has to decide whom this community will see, experience, and interact with…who will it be?  Will it be your Barabbas or your Lord?  Pilate asked a no-brainer question!  Do you want me to release a good person or a bad one?  History shows their decision, but we still have a choice in how we influence humanity.  Whom are you going to release?