They Chose Barabbas Barabbas was guilty. He was a prisoner, a rebel, a robber, and connected to murder. Jesus was innocent. Yet when the crowd was given a choice, they chose Barabbas and rejected Christ. Matthew 27:17 KJV “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” Barabbas’ name means “son of the father.” That makes the picture even stronger. The crowd chose a false “son of the father” while rejecting the true Son sent from the Father. And the church is still doing this today. Not always out loud. But every time people choose a version of Jesus that does not require repentance, surrender, obedience, or transformation, they are choosing a counterfeit. When people want forgiveness without repentance, they are choosing Barabbas. When people want church attendance without heart change, they are choosing Barabbas. When people say “God knows my heart” but refuse to let God change their heart, they are choosing Barabbas. Jesus does not come to excuse rebellion. He comes to deliver us from it. He does not come to decorate our old life. He comes to crucify the old man and make us new. The crowd chose Barabbas. But the remnant must choose Christ.