Readings for today: Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, 19:1-16
Why do human beings so often make decisions that go against their best interest? I see it in politics. So many vote for candidates whose policies have already failed, creating more harm than help. I see it in businesses where personal vendettas can cripple a company. I see it in families where people spend so much energy holding onto anger and bitterness rather than choosing to forgive. I see it in the personal lives of so many I know and love and serve as they make choices that are self-destructive. It’s almost like we can’t help ourselves.
One of the most heartbreaking examples of this from Scripture is when the people choose Barabbas over Jesus. “The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:21-22 NET) Think about that for a minute. Barabbas was a murderer. An insurrectionist. Imprisoned because he was violent and a danger to society. Jesus was a faithful Jew. He kept the Law. He ministered to the sick and suffering. He performed all kinds of miracles that restored people. He preached about the unconditional love of the Father for His children. The contrast could not be more stark. And still the people chose Barabbas. Why? Probably a lot of reasons. The chief priests and elders spread all kinds of lies and propaganda about Jesus. They took advantage of the people’s disappointment that Jesus had not overthrown the Romans, despite His triumphal entry a few days earlier. Jesus had let them down. He had not lived up to their expectations. There were certainly politics involved. Factions within Judaism that wanted to eliminate Jesus. He was a threat to their influence and power. The crowd who cried out “Crucify” is not necessarily the same as the crowd who welcomed Jesus with palm branches. Like a lot of modern protests, perhaps this whole scene was carefully staged. No matter the reasons why, the outcome remains. The people chose against their best interest. They set free a sinner of the worst kind while condemning their Savior.
How often do we make the same mistake? How often do we let our emotions get the best of us, driving us to self-destructive choices? How often do we “do what we don’t want to do and don’t do what we do want to do” as the Apostle Paul will later put it? How many times do we give into our addictions? How many times do we fall for temptation? Why are our hearts so hard? Why do we resist the advice of those who have our best interest mind like our parents, our doctors, our pastors, and our mental health professionals? Why don’t we vote for the best candidates rather than the worst? Does anyone else come to an election and wonder if this is the best we can do? It’s heartbreaking. And it’s not just those who live in America. I see it all around the world. There’s something broken deep within humanity and it’s why we need a Savior.
Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 27:32-66, Mark 15:21-47, Luke 23:26-56, John 19:17-42, Psalms 22