Democracy is supposed to be about the choice of the people – the government of the people by those chosen by the people. The latest presidential elections in France remind us of this system, although the French method seems somewhat different to ours. Western governments seem to hold elections in high regard and seek to encourage countries across the world to adopt methods to allow the people to choose their government.
I am reminded of a choice that was presented to a crowd of people some 2000 years ago. On that day, the Roman Governor invited the people to choose between two people. One of the two men was called Barabbas. He was a notorious criminal, one found guilty of violent robbery and murder, held up by some as a revolutionary. The other was Jesus Christ. This second man had been responsible for the miraculous healing of many, including some who were seen to be incurable, the feeding of many who were starving, and the raising from the dead of at least three people. Which would they choose? It might seem what is termed ‘a no brainer’, but it didn’t turn out as you might think. In fact the crowd ‘voted’ for Barabbas and shouted for the death by crucifixion of Jesus. Why?
The fact that Jesus Christ had lived a perfect and sinless life had exposed the corruption of so many in the world around him. He had spoken against the hypocrisy seen in the lives of many so-called religious leaders. If we were to compare our lives with His we would see our sinfulness and failure.
But, above all, Jesus Christ came to die at Calvary. Not only because mankind rejected Him, but because God had purposed it. The Lord Jesus Christ came to give His life as a sacrifice for sin that you and I might have forgiveness and peace with God. The crowd made the wrong choice that day. Who will you choose today?
I am reminded of a choice that was presented to a crowd of people some 2000 years ago. On that day, the Roman Governor invited the people to choose between two people. One of the two men was called Barabbas. He was a notorious criminal, one found guilty of violent robbery and murder, held up by some as a revolutionary. The other was Jesus Christ. This second man had been responsible for the miraculous healing of many, including some who were seen to be incurable, the feeding of many who were starving, and the raising from the dead of at least three people. Which would they choose? It might seem what is termed ‘a no brainer’, but it didn’t turn out as you might think. In fact the crowd ‘voted’ for Barabbas and shouted for the death by crucifixion of Jesus. Why?
The fact that Jesus Christ had lived a perfect and sinless life had exposed the corruption of so many in the world around him. He had spoken against the hypocrisy seen in the lives of many so-called religious leaders. If we were to compare our lives with His we would see our sinfulness and failure.
But, above all, Jesus Christ came to die at Calvary. Not only because mankind rejected Him, but because God had purposed it. The Lord Jesus Christ came to give His life as a sacrifice for sin that you and I might have forgiveness and peace with God. The crowd made the wrong choice that day. Who will you choose today?
