“And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. (Mark 15:15 KJV)
Man’s given right to choose is the most crippling and debilitating privilege he has. Notwithstanding the implicit goodwill and goodness for which it was originally intended, the fort to procure good by this element has impacted its fortune and blessings as Man is often unguarded, imprudent and ill-advised in the trading activity of his choice.
Choice is a product of desire. Desire is an inward craving motivated by perceived benefit modulated by our senses or appetite. It is this craving that stir desire validated by the choice made. What a string of cause and effect.
The Choice privilege alluded to Man became so tarnished that the Bible says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. (Gen. 6:5-6 AMP) Man, had by his choices corroded his fortune and impugned His maker that God, “regretted”. How careful we must exercise our free chance to choose.
Choice is however not all bad and evil, neither is the prevalent evil outcome due to reckless use of “choice” in our environment the primary motivation that granted Man this eminent privilege to Choose. Choice is the basis for reward and remuneration. It bequeaths the gratification to desire and determines one’s fortune and future without external duress or influence.
This element about choice makes one responsible, answerable and accountable for what happens and why. A good and conscientious use of this prized and privileged right frees God from being partial, factional or sectarian; after all; every one chooses by him/her self for self.
Imagine how far fallen Man had become in the exercise of the right to choose, when Barabbas was desired to be released to them but Jesus delivered to be removed (crucified) from them.
About this Barabbas, the Bible recorded, “The man called Barabbas was imprisoned with the insurrectionists (revolutionaries) who had committed murder in the civil rebellion.” (Mark 15:7 AMP) and about Lord Jesus in the same context was said, “Again Pilate answered, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They screamed back, “Crucify Him!” But Pilate asked them, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” (Mark 15:12:14 AMP). Do you see how for no evil, Man would not choose Good but despite evil choose evil? This is the typical representation of a natural Man – without course for God or recourse to God.
Beloved, there is an important notice and lesson for all Men in this recorded Bible story, the course and nature of Barabbas was not unknown to the people, he was a murderer and participated in rebellion against constituted Authority, a nuisance and disturbance to public good and peace but he was “desired to be released to them”
Barabbas represented the carnal and fleshly nature latent in Christian, according to Paul, he said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:27KJV). We must be skilled to keep this “Barabbas” bound and never release but have the Prince of Life release to moderate our lives and nature.
Choose well