15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 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. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" 23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. NKJV
The feast had begun. The governor was to release "one prisoner" at that time. On deck was the notorious prisoner called Barabbas. (famous for being bad)
And Pilate asked the people who had gathered around, "Whom do you want me to release to you?" "Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?"
And while the preparation of the Feast was underway, the governor's wife told him she had a dream about Jesus. It was a dream that caused her much anxiety
It is noted here in verse 18 that he the governor Pilate knew they the people who gathered envied Jesus. Envy is a poisonous thing. We are told this in Proverbs 14.
Proverbs 14:30
30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. NKJV
Yeah, have you smelled something rotting? Have you been around someone so sick, their body seemed to be rotting away under the affect of that which diseased the body part?
These people envied Jesus, and it was rottenness that was found in them to their very bones.
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV
These people hated Jesus. They despised the truth He brought to them.
The governor asked, "why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out and it must have been a real riotous time. The people wanted Jesus crucified!
Pilate said he washed his hands of the matter and would release the "one known for his famous bad deeds"!
Justice? Not likely.
But everyday, people should to love Jesus. They find that strength in Him that is true joy to rise and do for His glory.
Likely, you too, will be in a crowd and probably will look like some believer's and some who just want their way. Those self-seeking will look to have their way. They will do little to help you, or they will ignore you entirely. They will either be for truth or they will love the way things are a comfort to them even though they are the naked, the blind and far from God. Some just delight in having their way that is the way of destruction.
And these people were the adamant about it. They said this: " His blood be on us and on our children." (see below)
Yikes!
Matthew 27:24-26
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. NKJV
In choosing Barabbas, they sought their way, and they gained "the bad of Barabbas". They even spoke it to be done to their children as well.
In choosing to reject Jesus and truth, people invite the evil, that which acquainted with envy for another, in what they believe, what they look like, envy what they have, envy their social position in life, envy their confidence in God and in doing that lose their very soul.
Saw somewhat a controversial topic on CNN and it was on the 80's and the music that was on the scene at that time. They had notables talking to the stage of the country leaders to voice their objection to the violent music, the kind they believed that would permeate into violence and they spoke on the objectionable music videos. And to me, in some respects they were right. But where were they, the notables, when one atheistic woman wanted prayer done away with in the schools in 1964? That is my question. Where were those who had ministry and ministered at the time? What happened that day has brought a great darkness over this country. And one can see what can happen when one wants their way just by watching the evening news most every night.
Yes, there are those who live to give encouragement to others, but they seem few.
Where was the rallying at that time of the early 60's? One woman took center stage and demanded. What did they do with Jesus at that time? What will we do with Him today?
I heard there was tent revivals going on from the 40's and 50's..............what happened?
We have opportunity after opportunity to minister the life that comes through Jesus alone. We must pray, we must know Him and trust completely that He has not abandoned us.
He surely watched as the High Priest when young Stephen was being stoned. He, Jesus, surely took His place to watch over him...........why........because Stephen prayed while he was being stoned.
And today people cower instead of standing face to face in the devil's face and tell him that his time is up. They cower in fear. They have become "the paralyzed".
Stephen prayed and asked in those last moments of life and Jesus stood as the High Priest........the Great Intercessor and quickly Stephen was received up into heaven.
Who are you rallying with? Do we even have a faith cry? Do we speak Jesus or find another like Barabbas? Are we like those who desire to put away Jesus from our lives? Are we seeking our "own thing"?
Like Jesus, we should speak as well: ”THAT
He who is of GOD hears GOD’S WORDS………”
“That of myself I can do nothing; BUT AS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME, I SPEAK
THESE THINGS.” “He who has sent me gave me a command, what I should say, and
what I should speak. Therefore, whatever
I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak. (scripture references below:)Jesus said: John 8:47……47 He who is of God hears God's
words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." …NKJV John 8:28….28 Then Jesus said to them,
"When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and
that I do nothing of Myself; but as My
Father taught Me, I speak these things. NKJV
John 12:49-13:1………49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the
Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I
speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." NKJV
For what is written today, He commanded. I do not speak of myself, but what He has given me. It is "He who is of God who hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
May we speak and not be silently, but ever mindful of why Jesus was crucified for us. Let us not take for granted one moment that we should our lives like the devil and hope to be in heaven one day. It does not work that way and never will.
What will you do with Jesus?
I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT. THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.
Notice:
The Voice of Prayer has a new teaching published:
Holy Spirit's Coming Attraction: Sneak Previews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLvNux8C-0g
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