Pilate gave the Jews a choice: on the one... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

You have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the king of the Jews? Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.
John 18:39.40

Pilate gave the Jews a choice: on the one hand there was Jesus, of whom he said, "I find no fault in him at all." On the other hand there was Barabbas, a criminal who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder (cf. Luke 23:19). How would the choice turn out?

The matter should have been simple: here was a righteous Man, the Saviour of the world, who had done only good; there stood a rebel, robber and murderer. We know the result only too well: they voted for Barabbas, not for Jesus. Barabbas was released, and Jesus was crucified.

This decision, made long, long ago, has been reflected millions of times in world history and in people's personal lives. Decisions made for sin and against God are equivalent to voting for Barabbas' release and Christ's crucifixion. We are so attached to sin that we refuse to leave off and thus allow God no place in our life.

We sometimes sense that we have made a wrong choice, but though we would like things to be otherwise, it just won't work!

There is someone, but only one Person, who can free me from the compulsion to sin. It is Jesus, the one they rejected. He alone can save me and grant me eternal life. So why not decide for Him?

"Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:34.36).

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1:1-18 · 1 Timothy 6:1-10