THE WICKED SUPPORT WICKEDNESS

THE WICKED SUPPORT WICKEDNESS

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.  And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.  So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”  For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.  Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”  Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.  The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”  Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”  And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”  So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”  And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”  Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. —Matthew 26:15-26

Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?  They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. —Psalms 94:20-21

            People will seek to work through the government to get their own wicked way.  This is not new.  Look what they did with Jesus.  After Pilate interrogated Jesus he asked the people, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”  The people responded, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”  Pilate responded, “Why, what evil has he done?”  But the people shouted even louder that he have Jesus crucified and Pilate gave in because “he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning.”  He caved to the desires of the people.  There is nothing new with way too many politicians.  They cave in to the loudest voice regardless of the wrongness of that voice.

            We have seen it in our age.  Leaders giving to the loudest voice their wicked desires— abortion, homosexual marriage and all the other sexual perversions that are being put forth, legalizing drug use…  In time a tyrant will rule this nation and then he will have groups of people slaughtered as we have seen in history.  Unfortunately history will repeat itself because fallen men are fallen men.

            The people so hated Jesus and they were controlled by the hatred. This type of hatred will lead to the death of others.  Just as the people shouted and began to riot because their hatred for Jesus was so intense.  And what was their desire?  They wanted “a notorious prisoner called Barabbas” released and they wanted Jesus to be crucified.  Pilate relented and had Jesus executed and the criminal Barabbas he set free.  So is the way of the wicked, but God will have the last Word.  “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).  Yes, He will have the final say…

Dear Father I am so glad that You will set things right in the end.  Nobody is getting away with anything.  I am grateful to know this and may I live gratefully in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.