Matthew 27:17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 Which of the two do you want me to release to you? asked the governor. Barabbas, they answered. 22 What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ? Pilate asked. They all answered, Crucify him!

In the above verses we see the terrible and final judgment of Jesus by Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judea, who condemned him to death by crucifixion.

We know that one of the factors that caused Jesus to be arrested by the priests, was their PERSONAL INTEREST in maintaining their authority over the Jews, that is, the priests were not interested in the signs and wonders that Jesus did, nor with the words spoken by Him (which according to their own soldiers, were never spoken before), but what mattered most to them were their PERSONAL INTERESTS.

John 7:46 No one ever spoke the way this man does, the guards declared.

John 11:48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

Only Pilate, as the Roman governor of Judea, had the authority to condemn someone to death, and according to his own words, he did not find Jesus a reason for death, calling him righteous, but his PERSONAL INTERESTS were also greater than than the interest of doing justice according to his own judgment.

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. I am innocent of this man's blood, he said. It is your responsibility!

The mob was corrupted by the priests and chose to release a murderer and troublemaker named Barabbas over Jesus.

Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Perhaps you have read this message up to here and have been indignant with the choice of the Jewish people, but unfortunately, many who live around you are choosing the DEVIL over GOD, are choosing SIN over FAITHFULNESS, are choosing DEATH instead of LIFE, they are choosing their PERSONAL INTERESTS over GOD'S INTERESTS.

Don't despise Jesus' sacrifice and his Word.

Deny yourself and truly (do not pretend) follow Jesus, for this is the way of salvation.

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins