Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Matthew 27:15-21

It was a custom to release a prisoner around a feast, Pilate was using the opportunity to try and wash his hands of the execution of Jesus, by allowing the Jews to make their decision who to release and who to execute. Now interestingly enough, if you look in some of the translations of the scriptures , Barrabas also had the first name of Jesus, which the name Yeshua would have been common in the first century

So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” (NIV, Matthew 27:17)

So the question back then is the same question today, which Jesus do you choose? Today many people worship a false Jesus, a Christ not of the Bible. Many false religions and cults, create their own Jesus to fit their own theology and ideology, but we must worship the true Son of God from the scriptures!

Barabbas was  a murderer (Mark 15:7), a criminal doing time, Pilate probably thought the Jews would have easily chosen Christ over the wicked Barrabas, however the religious leaders persuaded the crowd to choose Barrabas and execute Jesus Christ

Now another spiritual application to this story, Barabbas was a convicted sinner, however Jesus Christ , the sinless Lamb of God, took his place and Barabbas was set free. This was a foreshadow of us, we are Barabbas. Christ took our place , paid the penalty for our sin, and we are set free becoming Born Again

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:22-23

The wickedness of the people’s hearts choose to slay the Lamb of God and justify a murdere. As we know God used the evilness of men, to defeat sin and death forever! The religious leaders, who were claiming to be “children of God” are the ones who crucified the Son of God

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Amen!