Give me Barabbas

Beloved, grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our LORD. Today, on Monday, our new weekly fast day, Evangelist Sandra Huff has written an encouraging word and I am privileged to share it with you today. Thank you, Sandra Huff for the offering.

Luke 23:18 “And they cried out all at once saying away with this man and release onto us Barabbas.”

Accept Responsibility

At the Time Jesus was being offered up to be crucified, Pontius Pilate was a bit concerned. He knew that Jesus was innocent, and he sensed that there was something special about him. However, Pontius Pilate had already taken an oath that he would crucify a criminal today. Rather than accept the responsibility himself, Pilate puts the question to the people. He decides he would spare someone today. He asked the people should I spare Jesus or spare Barabbas, a known thief throughout the community. The people chanted with great enthusiasm, “Give us Barabbas.”

Familiarity

When you look at the situation, you realize that the people would prefer to have a thief among them rather than a savior. Why would they desire to have a known thief instead of Jesus, who was healing the sick, raising the dead, and giving words of wisdom directly from the father? The answer is they were comfortable with Barabbas.

They were familiar with the sinful life and the wicked deeds that he did. Jesus made them uncomfortable with their sin. He made them feel that they needed to make changes.

Fear of Change

Sometimes God offers us a better way, a better solution, a higher level of thinking, a higher level of existence. Still, we may choose rather than take what God has for us or keep what is comfortable and familiar. This is why some people hang onto the past, remain in volatile relationships, and continue with habits that are causing the destruction. The same people will reject the good people that God puts in their lives. They leave the great opportunities the new chances that God gives them because they are too afraid to let go of what they are used to.

Let Go

Examine yourself today. What are the Barabbas is in your life? What people and habits are you afraid to let go of? Although you know it’s not good for you and that there is something better offered to you, why do you continue to hold onto that which is causing your demise? Accept Jesus today, experience the better way, the answer, a new fresh way of thinking in Christ Jesus’s eternal life promise.

My prayer for you is that you receive Christ into your life and find the courage to let go of people and things that take you away from God’s desire for your life.

Yours in Christ,

Sandra Huff