Introductory Thoughts
Every choice in life can yield eternal consequences, some vastly significant, some of lesser importance. No clearer demonstration exists than the many decisions surrounding Christ’s crucifixion. The Jews had unjustly delivered Jesus to the governor. As a gesture to the people at the Roman feast, Pilate frequently released to them a prisoner. In this instance, he gave the Jews a choice between two prisoners—a vile man or the innocent Son of God. Barabbas was justly imprisoned as a robber (John 18:40) and murderer (Mark 15:7). This simple decision turned quite complex for the Jews. The people rejected the sinless Son of God and chose to release a guilty man. With evil hearts and wicked intentions, they cried out for the release of Barabbas. Making matters worse, they demanded that Jesus be crucified though He had done nothing worthy of death. The people became pawns of Satan though they were unaware that Jesus was born to die. He was brought to this point to bear the very sin they just committed, along with the sins of the whole world.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): What is likely to happen when mom or dad ask you to pick up your toys and get ready for bed and you choose to keep on playing? How does the Lord feel about this kind of a decision?
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(For everyone): It is important to be a decision maker, but equally important to make the right decisions. What were the wrong decisions made by those in our passage?
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In this passage, the decisions made by the people showed that they rejected Jesus. Are there times when your decisions reflect the same type of behaviour? What can you do to avoid making these decisions?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you avoid making evil decisions. Ask Him to help you understand the consequences of these choices.
- Pray that the Lord will show you how your evil decisions have an affect on you, others around you, and God too.
Song
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