Barabbas or Christ? by Geo. H. Skinner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 3, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 23.

Barabbas or Christ?

By Geo. H. Skinner

"Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" Matt. 27: 17.

THIS question asked by Pilate two thousand years ago is pertinent to every age.

While it is true that the scenery of the stage on which this drama was enacted is laid aside, that the actors have passed away and given place to others, yet the principles which Barabbas and Christ represented are still with us.

It is important to understand clearly that we are not called upon to decide this question for Pilate, the mob has already done this.

We must in our attempt to answer this remember that we are making a choice of principles which are vital in their results.

There are many who despise the Barabbas of Pilate's time, who under present conditions would never clamor for his release, yet enthusiastically uphold the principles which he represented. And on the other hand, there are many who sympathize with Christ before His enemies, who weep because of His sufferings and death, who at the same time crucify Him anew by denying the principles for which He lived and died.

In deciding for Christ, there is ever the danger of confounding the sentiment which provokes sympathy in behalf of the innocent Sufferer with that loyalty and devotion of truth and principle without which all else is futile.

The Meaning of the Decision.

What, then, does it really mean to decide between Barabbas and Christ? Mark 15: 7 and John 18: 40 tell us that Barabbas was a murderer, a robber, and a mover of insurrection. Heb. 4: 15 and 1 Peter 2: 22 tell us that Christ was without sin and was guileless. We read in 1 John 3: 4 that "sin is the transgression of the law."

First: The decision between Barabbas and Christ is the decision between lawlessness and lawfulness.

Barabbas had taken human life, had taken by violence that which did not belong to him; he had disregarded God's holy law.

The prevailing tendency of the present age is a disregard for God's law, to set at naught the very foundation principles of God's government.

Christ told us that He kept His Father's commandments (John 15: 10), and His life was an unfolding of their divine principles. He died to show their immutability. His life was in harmony with the great standard of righteousness; therefore, sinless. Which principle shall our lives pursue?

Secondly: The choice between Barabbas and Christ is the choice between carnal and spiritual methods in our endeavors to establish the kingdom of Christ. Barabbas apparently belonged to a party who wished to overthrow the Roman government and reestablish the Jewish kingdom. Many such efforts were made which had for their object a worthy cause. But they were not willing to accomplish this in God's way. The Jewish people had waited long and expectantly for the dawn of a brighter day, but their night was only growing darker. Would it not be wiser and better, thought Barabbas, to take matters in our hands and usher the kingdom in by force? Barabbas' kingdom was earthly, as were his methods. Why not do a little wrong to bring about a great right?

Are there not conditions existing to-day in which to many it may appear that God is not interested in His work or else that He long delays it? Many will say, "All ought to acknowledge Christ, religious institutions should be maintained, Christ's kingdom must be established on this earth." Instead of a brightening hope, "darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people." Isa. 60: 2.

What, then? instead of awaiting God's time and following His methods, a movement is created, its object being to reform the government and establish Christ's kingdom. We still hear it said, "Would it not be wiser and better to take matters in our own hands, and usher the kingdom in by force?" Casting about for power, the arm of flesh, the civil power, force, carnal methods, are resorted to.

Power for the Work.

Christ says, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18: 36. My kingdom is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14: 17. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 1: 8. "Tarry until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24: 49. O, that men might choose Christ's methods instead of those of Barabbas!

Thirdly: The choice between Barabbas and Christ is the choice between selfishness and unselfishness. Little did Barabbas care for the suffering of his substitute so long as he was allowed to escape.

This is the spirit which is found at the root of all the misery of mankind. Self asserts its claims regardless of the claims of others; pushes to the front while trampling on the rights of a brother; rejoices in its success, which has meant the failure of some one else; reaps the profits of the toilsome and wearisome lives of the less fortunate in life's struggle and suffers no discomfort because of their misery. Capital is arrayed against Labor, the rich oppressing the poor. The small investor becomes the prey of the capitalist in times of financial distress.

Christ stands for unselfishness. He gave His life for the lives of men. Christ says, Do unto others as ye wish others to do unto you. The strong should defend the weak, the rich help the poor, the men of high gifts spend themselves for the handicapped in the race. This is the spirit of Christ. When son or daughter steps out of the way that leads to fame and ease for the sake of a parent in poverty, or when a man refuses the offer which implies distinction, and for the sake of the right identifies himself with the unpopular or obscure, in such cases the choice is made of Christian principles.

This deciding is a daily task. May it be ours to discern between the spirits that govern men's actions, between Barabbas and Christ, and ever follow the truthful principles of the Master. GEO. H. SKINNER.