March 25

Not this man, but Barabbas.—John 18:38.

CHRIST having been sent back to Pilate, and Herod having found nothing worthy of death in him, Pilate proposes to scourge him, and set him at liberty. This just proposal, was however violently rejected by the people, and they loudly clamoured for his death. While Pilate was on the judgment seat, deciding upon this matter, his wife sent unto him, stating how she had suffered many things in a dream on account of Jesus, and praying him to have nothing to do with that just man. (Matthew 27:19.) As it was customary once a year to release one of the public prisoners, Pilate immediately appealed unto them, to give Jesus the benefit of this merciful custom, and proposes that Jesus should be released. Then cried they all again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a robber. What an estimate must they have formed of Jesus. A violent, dangerous robber, an avowed enemy to God and man, is preferred before the holy, the heavenly, and the blessed Jesus. A destroyer of human happiness, is preferred to him, who came to bless men with all the blessings of life and immortality. An enemy to society, is preferred to the world's philanthropist. A Barabbas to Jesus! Had they only appealed to the safety of society, was it not better for Jesus to be set at large, than one whose hands had been imbued with the crime of murder: for Barabbas was a murderer, as well as a robber. (Luke 23:19.) How would thousands of diseased and wretched beings, have rejoiced to have been introduced to Jesus, and received a place in his compassions, and have felt the exertions of his power. But he who spake as never man spake, who had wrought such miracles as had never been heard of before; all of which were miracles of goodness and mercy, is now so despised and rejected, that a robber and a murderer is preferred before him. And they all cried, "not this man, but Barabbas." Here then we behold guilt triumphing over innocence, iniquity over justice, and devils and wicked men, over the immaculate Jesus, the Saviour of the world, the only begotten Son of God. But while we feel indignant at the wicked preference of the Jews, is there nothing to be found like it in our own history and experience. Our outrageous sins, our destroying lusts, have they not been preferred by us, to the

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Holy Spirit and laws of Jesus. When he hath sought the throne of our affections, when he has waited at the door of our hearts, have we not often given the preference to our sins, and said, "not this man Jesus, but Barabbas." What genuine sorrow and deep repentance ought such a remembrance to produce. Let our indignation then, be directed against ourselves, and may the life we henceforth live in the flesh, be a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.