“FOR” or “against,” is the great question on election day? Who is the candidate? What cause does he favor? Is he a worthy man? are important questions to be answered, ere the choice is made, and the candidate elected.
Another election! does the reader exclaim? No, dear friend, our subject is not a coming election, but one that has passed by long ago; but though ages have rolled by since then, yet it directly concerns you, so listen to us awhile.
The great election day has passed by long ago, but still hundreds and thousands are giving their consent to the choice that was then made.
Jesus and Barabbas were the two who stood before the people on that memorable day. The choice was an important one, for One stood for God, the other was Satan’s man. The rule of Heaven, or the choice of Hell was to be decided; blessing or cursing was what they had to choose between that day. Which man should be chosen, was the great question.
As on all election days, the excitement was great on the day of which we speak. The streets of the city were thronged by people, all intent on one thing, and that to give in their vote. At last the moment has arrived when it is to be taken, and Pilate comes forward and asks the question, “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” and the united cry arose from that vast assembly, “Barabbas!” Surprised at such a choice, the Roman governor inquired, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” “Let him be crucified,” they all cried out. “Why, what evil hath he done?” was next asked of them; but the cry grew louder and higher as they all shouted out, “Let him be crucified.” Their vote was recorded, ―recorded on earth, and recorded in heaven! There it stands today in heaven’s record; Jesus was rejected, and Barabbas chosen, ―chosen by priest and people, by rulers and rabble, by Jews and Gentiles. Oh! awful choice: “Not this man, but Barabbas!”
They had their desire. The man of their choice was given unto them; while He who had done no evil was put to shame, mocked and spit upon, and nailed to a cross, and hung between two thieves. No voice was heard in His favor, no vote recorded for Him, except it be that of a dying thief, who, hanging at His side, gave this testimony: “This than hath done nothing amiss.” Never has the world repented of that awful choice, or confessed its sin to God; and today, if another election of a similar kind were to take place, the same cry would be heard, and the same verdict be given: “Not this man, but Barabbas.”
Reader, on whose side are you today? Have you ever disowned the world, against which the solemn charge is placed of the rejection and murder of the Son of God, ―a charge which has yet to be answered to before God’s tribunal? Or are you stall going on with that world, thus giving your consent to its dreadful act and awful choice? When the righteous Judge calls the world to amount, and the solemn charge laid against it is heard, there can be but one issue, one sentence; and that Guilty, with the fearful penalty―THE LAKE OF FIRE.
But listen to those sweet words, as they are heard falling from the lips of the blessed God: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be is white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Though yours has been the terrible sin of the rejection of Jesus, oh! trust Him now, and that sin, though of scarlet dye, shall be blotted out beneath that precious blood shed on Calvary.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
E. E. N.