Day 230 “The battle is won yet we must continue to fight.”

Day 230 Matthew 27:15-23 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” The people cry out for the murderer to be released, choosing a man who has killed innocent friends, neighbors, and relatives, in order that another innocent man may be put to death. Make sense? The trial, punishment, and crucifixion of Christ will never make sense or seem justifiable to reasonable people; however, it was the will of God, all for our sake. The actions of the people do little more than to reinforce the extreme love that God has for us, because their actions were the very essence of the moral nature of humanity and very predictable. People like to be liked; they want to fit in. We humans desire to have our own way and seek instant gratification, often not feeling the remorse for wrong or hurtful choices until long after the adrenaline has worn off, and then, well, it's too late to change things. Pilate and his wife were removed from the emotion of this event, and by being so, they were able to see the senseless nature of the actions of these people, yet even then, out of fear of retribution, loss of power, or comfort, they chose to allow the mob to rule. Today I was reading an article on gang activity in the metropolitan areas of the United States, and as I read it, I could not help but feel sorry for those who had fallen into the trap of desiring to belong, fitting in or being liked, willing to take innocent lives, and for what? to move up the ladder? to have people fear them? to have respect? for money? How senseless and foolish is it that our youth are being stolen away in neighborhoods all over this land and throughout the world because of the need to fit in–or a sense of belonging? They have been conditioned to believe that nothing else matters except for protecting your own, making money, and belonging, even to the point of death. Before you get down on the gangs, the Jews, and the youth, let's look at another similar case of a choice made with questionable motivation: the election of President Obama. Sure, he is a nice enough man, one who professes to be a Christian, yet the first day he was in power he voted to shut down the terrorist detention facility in Guantanamo, reversed a number of bills signed by the former president that limited abortion funding all over the world, and much more. That morning on ABC news, the reporter said that “President Obama, in his first day of office, has changed the morality of the White House by reversing most of George Bush's moral policies.” I don' care for political discussions, and I have no political aspirations, because, quite honestly, the majority of people do not want to hear or see the truth; it makes them uncomfortable; therefore, I am only quoting the things I have heard. We say ‘what a shame; how can this be?’ The answer, again, is quite simple. We, like the people who sent Christ to the cross, are in a constant battle, one that will not be easily won, yet we know we will prevail through Christ Jesus our Lord. Daily Prayer: Father, may we never follow the mob and always seek to please You; may You be our moral compass. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “The battle is won yet we must continue to fight.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor