from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/2DYsVzV
via IFTTT Trusting in man over God betrayed Jesus. Who was Barabbas? We are not sure. History is silent aside from few references in scripture. All we know is that Barabbas was guilty of murder during some sort of uprising against the Roman government. In other words, he was a rebel fighter, a Jew willing to stand against corrupt government and fight for Israel. A Jew that fought for Israel to the point of death. A Jew committing his life to bring about the freedom and prosperity of Israel. A saviour to those with eyes on the world. We often hear Barabbas described as a criminal and quickly passed over. But taking a look at the man Barabbas yields important truth for America today. A solemn warning, not to trust in man over God. Barabbas was not a common criminal. The Jews would not have cried out to have him released if he was but a common criminal. They had to have a reason. And they did. Israel was under foreign occupation. The Jews sought freedom and most assumed that the true saviour would free their nation from foreign rule. The saviour, in their eyes, would save them from the political state they were in and restore israel to a soverign nation. Their eyes were on this life, on man instead of God. Barabbas was a saviour, not to save from sins but to save Israel from the Romans. The promise of Barabbas was freedom from oppression, prosperity, sovereignty, all the things of politics. Barabbas represented a chance to make their own lives better, their nation better, and fulfill their dreams for Israel. Sad. So very sad. The true saviour is not in politics. The true peace is not in changing our living situation. The true strength is not in fighting against those doing evil. The gospel is about changing our heart, our minds, and setting our eyes on God. Sure, we are to DO what is right, but AFTER we set our hearts right. Jesus represents inward saving. If our hearts were right as a nation, politics would follow. If the people of the church of a Holy God we're living Holy, good would bless America. America suffers not because of the political world of government, but because the people are still yelling "give us Barabbas". America suffers not because of this party or that party, this candidate or that candidate, but because the people see those things as the answer. Lies! The answer is the gospel. The answer is found by those that do not yell "Barabbas". The answer is in Jesus, who stand quietly before Pilate in truth, righteousness, and principle. The answer is in a heart change, falling to knees in humility, honoring God's word and laws in every single aspect of life. The answer is in repentance, not strength. Barabbas represents progress without repentance. Strength without principle. Power without morality. Physical without spiritual. When we, in America, yell "give us Barabbas" today, we reject Jesus just as the Jews did. Repent! Turn your eyes and hearts to a holy God that puts morality, principle, the fruits of repentance first. Turn your actions to purifying your own heart through submission to the Holy Spirit. Turn to scripture for political, personal, and society answers. Reject Barabbas and his strength without holiness and yell instead "I will take Jesus" We each have a choice. Jesus or Barabbas. What do you say?
