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.  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 27:20-22

Choose, choose, choose… the ability to choose, that's what the religious world would have God's people deify. I see in the Scripture above that the chief priests and elders were able to persuade the multitude that they should choose Barabbas. This Barabbas was an insurrectionist and a murderer.  That's still the way it is today. One can persuade another man to do something evil. One cannot enable an evil man to choose goodness. Goodness is as far away as faith is to natural man. Man can have a natural hope for tomorrow, and believe that nature shall repeat itself based upon their own experiences; but faith is God given and is far from their own experiences.

That governor made an attempt to reason with those whom were persuaded by the chief priests and elders. He questioned their conviction, but his queries fell on deaf ears. They were fully persuaded that the "good news" was that their brother Barabbas was to live because by their decision making.  Brethren, Barabbas today has gone the way of all the earth. Jesus alone can say "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." Furthermore, the choice of the multitude had nothing whatsoever to do with the work of Christ. He neither lived for the multitudes nor did He die for the multitudes but He died for those chosen in Him before the world began. The Apostle Paul said, "...we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Romans 14:8&9).

There is a great difference between Jesus being your Saviour and the Saviour being your Lord. No doubt some there were vessels of mercy in that crowd demanding Barabbas be released. If they were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world then Jesus is indeed their Savior regardless of their decision. Jesus is likewise Lord regardless of what one decides about the matter. Pilate asked, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" If you ask the world what to do with Jesus which is called Christ they will persuade you to follow them. If you ask the Saviour what you should do He would tell you that   "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." If you have joined His Church then He is your Lord and you are His servant subject to His government.

Now the issue that one must address is what to believe. One option is to do nothing with your faith. Some opt to believe the wisdom that is earthly, sensual and walk by sight and not by faith. That is devilish.  There is a heavenly wisdom that is pure and peaceable and gentle. Those that heed that call come and learn of their Lord and find rest for their souls. These will deny themselves and take up their crosses, and follow their Lord. These see a different course and desire to walk by faith. These are they that are not persuaded by what they see with their natural sight. These are they that yield themselves to God as those that are alive from the dead and refuse to lean onman'scunning persuasions. 4/6/2005 Elder M.Hoogasian