It was voting day in Jerusalem. An enormous crowd had gathered, and what excitement there was! There had never been a day like it before, and there has not been a day like it since. Pilate, the governor, was presiding over the gathering, and took the vote of the people as to whether they were for Barabbas--a murderer, or for Christ Jesus the Lord--the Saviour of lost sinners.
The governor asked, "Are you for Christ?"
"No," they cried out all at once. "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." Their choice was made. Their vote was recorded. They had rejected Christ, and instead chosen the murderer Barabbas.
"What then shall I do with Jesus?" asked Pilate.
"Away with Him: crucify Him," they all shouted. So Christ, the rejected Son of God, was taken out and nailed to a cross on Golgotha's hill. There He hung between heaven and earth as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.
The same question that was posed that fateful day in Jerusalem some two thousand years ago must still be answered by everyone who is born into this world. "What then shall I do with Jesus?" What about you--have you cast your vote for Him or against Him? You cannot be neutral.
The vote of the world is still the same today as it was then. Satan, the god of this world, is blinding the eyes of people as to the real issues that they should be concerned about. The focus in the world's elections is placed upon matters that attempt to improve people from the outside, such as the role of government, education, the economy, and the environment. However, despite the very best efforts of men, the world without Christ is doomed to destruction because it has not dealt with the root of all of its problems--sin. There is no political candidate, no legislation, and no budget allowance that can change a person from the inside, that can take away sin and all of the associated effects.
But praise God that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (
1 Timothy 1:15), therefore meeting the real need of mankind. By His death and through the shedding of His blood on the cross, He paid sin's penalty for all who will repent of their sins to God and trust in Christ alone as their personal Saviour. He is now risen from the dead, and desires for "all men to be saved" (
1 Timothy 2:4).
You must decide. Your "great election day" is today. You can either join with the world, represented by the crowd who said "away with Him," or you can put your trust in Jesus, and let Him take away your sin and guilt.
Jesus has promised that "I will come again" (
John 14:3). When that time comes, it will be too late for you to decide. By not accepting Him now, you are rejecting Him. "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (
John 3:18). Refuse no longer His offered gift of eternal life (
Romans 6:23). Come to Him in faith, believing that He died for your sins. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (
Ephesians 2:8).
Today is the time to set Jesus Christ on the throne of your heart and life as Lord. He will give you now the joy and peace of sins forgiven, as well as eternal life with Him, sharing in His glorious kingdom, when all the hopes and desires of mankind will be fulfilled in Him, "the King of kings and Lord of lords" (
1 Timothy 6:16).
Posted with permission of
Moments with the Book
