"Give us Barabbas!"

Every year I try to read through the Bible. It’s not a big deal and does not consume a lot of time (if I don’t fall behind). The cool thing about my Bible reading schedule is that by the time we get to the holidays I am reading in the New Testament. The week before Thanksgiving my reading schedule usually takes me through the crucifixion of Christ. Certainly, at this time of the year, my salvation is something I am thankful for, and these daily readings are just daily reminders of my “I am blessed” list. By the time Christmas rolls around, and we’re celebrating the birth of Christ, I am already in Revelation and celebrating Christ’s second coming.

This morning my reading was from Matthew 27. After walking the dog, I came in and settled down with a cup of coffee and my daily reading. Afterward, I hustled off to the gym, as usual, but the words of Matthew 27 stayed with me. When I returned from the gym, I opened the chapter again and re-read certain portions of it. In the chronology of Christ’s crucifixion, Matthew 27 takes place after the Last Supper and after the arrest in the garden. Christ has been betrayed by Judas. He has been taken before the Sanhedrin and, in Chapter 27, to Pontius Pilate.

Even though I have read this passage numerous times, my heart was pricked this morning by how the crowd chose Barabbas over Christ. They cried, "Give us Barabbas" even when they knew his reputation. Barabbas was a convicted murderer; he was a “notorious prisoner,” rebellious, the epitome of evil.

I reflected on that for quite some time. I even went back and read it again. I couldn’t get away from the crowd begging for evil to be unleashed upon them. What a bunch of losers! Who would choose Barabbas over the Son of God? Who would choose a murderer over a Savior? The truth is, I would, and I have. I am ashamed to say there have been times when I have said, "Give me Barabbas" instead of "Give me Christ"—if not literally with my voice, then certainly by my choices. I have chosen rebellion and evil over Christ so many times that I can't condemn one person in that crowd.

I have found myself in public situations, with friends and business associates, who expect me to follow their lead and call, “Give me Barabbas!” And other times I have cried “Give me Barabbas” deep within my own spirit where only God could hear and be grieved.

How much faith must it take to see the eternal is much better than the temporal? In that town square on that Thursday morning, how much courage would it have taken for one person to yell, "Give me Christ!" Probably the same courage that it still takes for me (and you) to stand up for Christ today. “Give me Christ!” Let me have the faith to see the eternal much better than the temporal. “Give me Christ!” Let me keep my attitude in check, let me work hard, let me be a friend, let me be sensitive to the needs of others, let me guard my tongue against gossip, let me guard my heart against judgment, and let me be faithful in the little things—minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour. And, should the occasion arise, may I also be faithful and courageous enough to proclaim in the town square, “Give me Christ!” even when my friends or my leaders cry, “Give me Barabbas.”