After Jesus was arrested, he was taken to the governor, Pilate. After examining Jesus, Pilate determined that he had done no wrong, and wanted to set Jesus free.

There was a custom to release a prisoner at the Passover festival, so Pilate suggested that Jesus be set free. However, the Jewish leaders stirred up the crowd to ask that Pilate release a notorious criminal named Barabbas instead.

Ironically, the name “Barabbas” means “son of the father”. So, the crowd was faced with the choice between the true Son of the Father, Jesus, and a poor substitute for the real thing.

Sadly, the crowd chose the poor substitute instead of Jesus. Barabbas was set free, and Jesus was sent to the cross where he would die for the sins of the world.

We are still faced with similar choices today. Every day people choose a poor substitute for the real thing rather than choosing the true Son of God. Be careful what kind of decisions you make!