Barabbus and Our Hearts

I read Matthew 27 today, Jesus and Barabbus. Barabbus is a type of you and me isn't he? The first man who could say, 'Jesus died in my place.' Jesus died in my place too, and just like Barabbus, i'm a guilty criminal, hopeless and rightly condemned unless Jesus shows up.

Today, Christian, you and I face exactly the same problem of the crowd in Matthew 27 did. Will we choose Jesus, or a cheap substitute. Will our hearts go after the real joy, real pleasure and deep holiness that we find only in Him, or for the sake of the crowd and convenience and sin choose something else?

Our hearts are naturally, sinfully, turned to Barabbus, only the gracious work of God in Christ can turn them to Jesus. So ask that your heart might be turned to Jesus today. Ask that, come what may, your heart might choose Him and prefer Him. The thing about choosing Jesus over sin is that it's never easy, and it gets easier all the time. It's never easy to go for deferred pleasure is it? Sin is shiny, sin looks good, feels good and everyone is doing it. But Jesus stands there and calls. He calls to those who are weary and heavy laden, promising rest, He calls to the tempted, promising them that they will see God for their pure hearts. He calls the tax collectors, sinners and losers, and gives them a home with Him.

Today, let's train our hears not to listen to the old master. It's never easy, because sin is all around us, and sin still fights a guerilla war in our hearts. But it gets easier all the time, as street by street, building by building, the enemy is driven out of our hearts, and the King takes His place. So listen to the King today. Not the one who cries 'Do this, do that!' but to Jesus who holds out His hand, and tells us 'it's done, come and rest.' Turn your heart towards Jesus today, accept no substitutes...